Use of induced abortion for birth control by mothers in Iraq.

Background: Induced abortion is a traditional method of birth control and it can indicate unmet maternal reproductive needs. Little is known about the use of induced abortion by married women in Iraq.

Aims: This cross-sectional study aimed to explore whether induced abortion is used for birth control by married women in Mosul, and to determine the sociodemographic and family characteristics associated with its use.

Methods: Multistage stratified sampling was used to recruit 1302 married women of child-bearing age (15-49 years) attending primary health care centres in Mosul. Women were interviewed using a validated questionnaire between April 2011 and 31 January 2012. Data collected included: use of induced abortion and method, social and family background, and contraceptive use. The χ2-test was used to assess the association of sociodemographic and cultural factors with the induced abortion.

Results: Of the 1302 women, 13.5% had tried to induce an abortion at some time, by undertaking heavy physical activities (66.2%) or using of herbal remedies (22.2%) or pharmacological preparations (17.6%). The prevalence of reported induced abortion was significantly lower among women using contraceptives, older women, those with a higher education, working women, suburban and rural residents, those living in extended families, and women in consanguineous marriages and non-polygynous marriages (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Over 10% of the married women had induced abortion to control births. Health education is recommended to encourage contraceptive use.