SOCIAL-FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ABORTION-RELATED MORBIDITY IN THE PHILIPPINES

In many countries, particularly in the less developed world, abortion remains illegal yet many women still seek to terminate unwanted pregna ncies by clandestine methods. Such abortions are often unsafe and cont ribute significantly to maternal mortality and morbidity in such setti ngs. This paper reports on findings from a study which investigated th e social factors associated with abortion-related morbidity in Manila, in the Philippines. The study involved a comparison of the characteri stics and experience of 200 women being treated in hospitals for compl ications of abortion with 250 hospital, and 250 community controls, wh o had no history of abortion or miscarriage. Data collection combined a quantitative schedule-structured survey and qualitative focus group discussions. The study investigated the women's fertility and contrace ptive history, family and marital situation and attitudes and feelings concerning contraception and abortion. Particular aspects of relation s between spouses were found to be especially strongly associated with abortion related morbidity.