Cross-sectional study on the prevalence of abortion and its determinants among reproductive age group women in the urban and rural field practice area of Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana

Context: The provision of basic abortion care is one of the essential healthcare services and fundamental rights of women. Aims: To estimate the prevalence of abortion and to determine its associated factors in the urban and rural field practice. Settings and Design: A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out in the urban and rural field practice area of Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana. Methods and Material: The study was carried out for a period of 3 months (March 2022–May 2022) among reproductive age group women (15–49 years). A total of 400 reproductive age group women (200 from the urban area and 200 from the rural area) were taken using systematic random sampling. Statistical Analysis Used: Results were displayed as frequencies, Pearson’s Chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression analysis using Epi Info 7. A P value < 0.05 is considered significant. Results: The overall prevalence of abortion is 19%. It was higher in rural areas (22%) than in urban areas (16%). Unsafe abortion, repeated abortion, and complication after abortion are more in the rural area. The most common reason cited was as follows: Fetus had a congenital abnormality. The age of the mother, type of family, socioeconomic status, and education of the women were statistically significant by binomial logistic regression. Conclusions: This study findings show that abortions are more common in rural areas, and the most common reason for inducing abortion was the presence of congenital abnormality. Low socioeconomic status, early marriage, early pregnancy, and low literacy were found to be determinants of abortion.