Termination of Pregnancy as a Method of Birth Spacing in Educated Class.

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to find out prevalence of termination of pregnancy in educated class as a method of birth spacing. Reasons for considering the pregnancy as unwanted were asked and analyzed. Study methods: A study was carried out at a private clinic on patients visiting for gynecological or obstetrics problems. The patients who had termination at some stage of reproductive life and agreed to impart further information were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. Results: A large number of patients (2 8%) revealed that they have had terminated pregnancy at some earlier stage. 80% patients reported that the pregnancy was unplanned and unwanted. Main reason for termination being, birth spacing, adequacy of children, economic problems, worries about children’s future, occupational status of the couple, educational responsibilities of one or both partners.. Unfamiliarity, unacceptability and non-availability of family planning services and failure of contraceptive measures were found to be the main causes of unwanted pregnancy. Conclusion: Despite being educated and having exposure to Family Planning Services, incidence of unwanted pregnancy is high even in this class. This puts the female partner at a risk of illegal abortion. Failure of acceptance of birth spacing methods is mainly due to lack of counseling on the part of health workers.