Abstract : This study examines the incidence of and circumstances surrounding induced abortion in Colombia. Quantitative and qualitative methods are applied to analyze key determinants of why urban women undergo abortion. Of all the abortions reported, 14.8% were among adolescents 15-17 years old, and a third were among women under 20 years of age. In the lower socioeconomic level 31.1% of abortions were among single women; in the upper classes, 54.6% were among single women. 78.4% of all abortions were the result of unintended pregnancy due to non-use of contraception. 21.6% were due to contraceptive failure or misuse. It is hoped that the findings will help to delineate policy actions and preventive strategies that will lower induced abortions in the country.
Web site : http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/Abstracts/abortion.html