Prevalence and associated factors of repeat induced abortion among women at a tertiary obstetrics and gynecology hospital in Vietnam: a cross sectional study.
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- 2Hung Vuong Hospital, 128 Hong Bang Street, Cho Lon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- 3Hung Vuong Hospital, 128 Hong Bang Street, Cho Lon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. [email protected].
Abstract
Purpose
Repeat induced abortion remains a major reproductive health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Although abortion is legal in Vietnam up to 22 weeks of gestation, the country continues to report high abortion rates in Southeast Asia, with limited recent data on repeat abortion. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of repeat induced abortion and identify associated demographic, reproductive, and contraceptive factors among women seeking abortion services in Vietnam.Patients and methods
A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2025 at the Department of Family Planning, Hung Vuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Women aged 18-49 years presenting for induced abortion were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Repeat induced abortion was defined as a history of one or more previous induced abortions. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with repeat abortion. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.Results
Among 385 participants, 141 (36.6%; 95% CI: 32.0-42.0%) reported a history of one or more previous induced abortions. In multivariable logistic regression, women aged 31-40 years (AOR = 2.40; 95% CI: 1.30-4.34; p = 0.005) and 41-49 years (AOR = 4.76; 95% CI: 2.04-11.15; p < 0.001) had significantly higher odds of repeat abortion compared with those aged 18-30 years. Having at least one living child was independently associated with markedly higher odds of repeat abortion compared with nulliparity (AOR = 20.80; 95% CI: 2.48-174.50; p = 0.005). Never-married women also had significantly higher odds of repeat abortion compared with those who were or had previously been married (AOR = 19.50; 95% CI: 1.63-233.10; p = 0.020). Use of traditional contraceptive methods was associated with lower odds of repeat abortion compared with no contraceptive use (AOR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.12-0.88; p = 0.026). No other variables remained statistically significant after adjustment.Conclusion
Over one-third of women seeking abortion services at this tertiary hospital had experienced repeat induced abortion. Increasing age was a strong independent predictor. These findings underscore the need for targeted reproductive health counselling and improved contraceptive strategies to reduce unintended pregnancies and repeat abortion in Vietnam.
Related
- Menopause Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Training: A Scoping Review
- To what extent is enhanced recovery in surgery used in French obstetrics and gynecology departments?
- Repply to: When technology advances faster than competence: the risk of deskilling in obstetrics and gynecology.
- Point-of-care ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology: latest advancements and evolution.
- A prospective cohort study on ultrasound simulation training in gynecology and obstetrics using pelvic, fetometry, and breast models
BibTeX
@article{khanh2026prevalence,
title = {{Prevalence and associated factors of repeat induced abortion among women at a tertiary obstetrics and gynecology hospital in Vietnam: a cross sectional study.}},
author = {Trang Huynh Nguyen Khanh and Linh Quach Lan and Thanh Le Quang and Tuyet Hoang Thi Diem and Minh Huynh Phuc Khanh},
journal = {Contraception and reproductive medicine},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s40834-026-00472-w},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968178},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Prevalence and associated factors of repeat induced abortion among women at a tertiary obstetrics and gynecology hospital in Vietnam: a cross sectional study.
AU - Trang Huynh Nguyen Khanh
AU - Linh Quach Lan
AU - Thanh Le Quang
AU - Tuyet Hoang Thi Diem
AU - Minh Huynh Phuc Khanh
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/03
JO - Contraception and reproductive medicine
DO - 10.1186/s40834-026-00472-w
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968178
AB - Purpose Repeat induced abortion remains a major reproductive health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Although abortion is legal in Vietnam up to 22 weeks of gestation, the country continues to report high abortion rates in Southeast Asia, with limited recent data on repeat abortion. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of repeat induced abortion and identify associated demographic, reproductive, and contraceptive factors among women seeking abortion services in Vietnam.Patients and methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2025 at the Department of Family Planning, Hung Vuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Women aged 18-49 years presenting for induced abortion were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Repeat induced abortion was defined as a history of one or more previous induced abortions. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with repeat abortion. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.Results Among 385 participants, 141 (36.6%; 95% CI: 32.0-42.0%) reported a history of one or more previous induced abortions. In multivariable logistic regression, women aged 31-40 years (AOR = 2.40; 95% CI: 1.30-4.34; p = 0.005) and 41-49 years (AOR = 4.76; 95% CI: 2.04-11.15; p < 0.001) had significantly higher odds of repeat abortion compared with those aged 18-30 years. Having at least one living child was independently associated with markedly higher odds of repeat abortion compared with nulliparity (AOR = 20.80; 95% CI: 2.48-174.50; p = 0.005). Never-married women also had significantly higher odds of repeat abortion compared with those who were or had previously been married (AOR = 19.50; 95% CI: 1.63-233.10; p = 0.020). Use of traditional contraceptive methods was associated with lower odds of repeat abortion compared with no contraceptive use (AOR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.12-0.88; p = 0.026). No other variables remained statistically significant after adjustment.Conclusion Over one-third of women seeking abortion services at this tertiary hospital had experienced repeat induced abortion. Increasing age was a strong independent predictor. These findings underscore the need for targeted reproductive health counselling and improved contraceptive strategies to reduce unintended pregnancies and repeat abortion in Vietnam.
SN - 2055-7426
ER -