Heini Väisänen1, Päivikki Koponen2, Mika Gissler3,4,5, Osmo Kontula6. 1. a Department of Social Statistics and Demography , University of Southampton , Southampton , UK. 2. b Department of Public Health Solutions , National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) , Helsinki , Finland. 3. c Information Services Department , National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) , Helsinki , Finland. 4. d Research Centre for Child Psychiatry , University of Turku , Turku , Finland. 5. e Department of Neurobiology , Care Services and Society, Karolinska Institute , Stockholm , Sweden. 6. f Population Research Institute , Family Federation of Finland (Väestöliitto) , Helsinki , Finland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Women's contraceptive choices may change after an induced abortion, due to contraceptive counselling or a behavioural change prompted by the experience. The effect may vary between women; sociocultural background, for example, may affect their subsequent reproductive choices. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether women's current contraceptive use was differently associated with a history of induced abortion among immigrant groups in Finland (Russian, Kurdish and Somali) and the general Finnish population. METHODS: We analysed data from two surveys, the Migrant Health and Wellbeing study and the Health 2011 study, linked to the Finnish register of induced abortions. Propensity score weighted logistic regression was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: The likelihood of using contraceptives after an abortion varied depending on women's sociocultural background. A history of induced abortion increased contraceptive use among all groups, except Russian women, in whom there was no effect. The effect was particularly strong for Kurdish women. CONCLUSION: Sociocultural background was an important determinant of post-abortion contraceptive use. Some immigrants may struggle to navigate the Finnish health care system due to language or literacy issues. Attention should be paid to improving access to family planning among these groups.
BACKGROUND:Women's contraceptive choices may change after an induced abortion, due to contraceptive counselling or a behavioural change prompted by the experience. The effect may vary between women; sociocultural background, for example, may affect their subsequent reproductive choices. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether women's current contraceptive use was differently associated with a history of induced abortion among immigrant groups in Finland (Russian, Kurdish and Somali) and the general Finnish population. METHODS: We analysed data from two surveys, the Migrant Health and Wellbeing study and the Health 2011 study, linked to the Finnish register of induced abortions. Propensity score weighted logistic regression was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: The likelihood of using contraceptives after an abortion varied depending on women's sociocultural background. A history of induced abortion increased contraceptive use among all groups, except Russian women, in whom there was no effect. The effect was particularly strong for Kurdish women. CONCLUSION: Sociocultural background was an important determinant of post-abortion contraceptive use. Some immigrants may struggle to navigate the Finnish health care system due to language or literacy issues. Attention should be paid to improving access to family planning among these groups.
Entities:
Keywords:
Family planning; Finland; induced abortion; migrant health; sexual and reproductive health