European Journal of Public Health
Volume 18, Issue 2, 2008, Pages 144-149

Induced abortion in Denmark: Effect of socio-economic situation and country of birth (Article) (Open Access)

Rasch V.* , Gammeltoft T. , Knudsen L.B. , Tobiassen C. , Ginzel A. , Kempf L.
  • a Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, Department of International Health, Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen University, Denmark
  • b Institute of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
  • c Department of Sociology, Social Work and Organization, Aalborg University, Denmark
  • d Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark
  • e Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, Aalborg Hospital, Denmark
  • f Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, Randers Hospital, Denmark

Abstract

Background: Equal access to health care is considered a key in Scandinavian healthcare policy. However, problematic differences between the socio-economic situation of immigrants and that of native Scandinavians are increasingly challenging this aspect of the Scandinavian welfare model. The present study focuses on how socio-economic characteristics and country of birth are associated with induced abortion. Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to collect information among 1351 women requesting abortion and a control group of 1306 women intending birth. Results: The strongest factor associated with the decision to have an abortion was being single (OR 39.1; 23.8-64.2), followed by being aged 19 years or below (OR 29.6; 13.4-65.5), having two children or more (OR 7.05; 5.29-9.39) and being unskilled (OR 2.48; 1.49-4.10), student (OR 2.29; 1.52-3.43) or unemployed (OR 1.65; 1.11-2.46). When evaluating the effect of social exposure on abortion among Danish-born and foreign-born women, the higher rate of abortion among non-Westerners was found to be caused by the composition of non-Westerners more often being unemployed, having a low income and having two or more children rather than the fact that they are coming from a non-Western country. Conclusion: Immigrant women comprise a vulnerable group, with a poor socio-economic status. This situation exposes immigrant women to increased risk of induced abortion. In a society with an increasing heterogeneous population, the vulnerable situation of immigrant women has to be addressed, if equal access to health care is to be maintained. © 2007. The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Immigrant socio-economic Denmark equity Induced abortion

Index Keywords

Vulnerable Populations induced abortion unemployment Abortion, Induced immigrant lowest income group Maternal Age human Odds Ratio Denmark controlled study priority journal Aged population risk Humans Adolescent Emigrants and Immigrants female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics pregnancy social welfare Article unwanted pregnancy major clinical study adult Social Environment health care access Case-Control Studies structured questionnaire Healthcare Disparities employment
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-40849102501&doi=10.1093%2feurpub%2fckm112&partnerID=40&md5=edddaa4da552e3f8a95424cbc1070dd4
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckm112
ISSN: 11011262
Cited by: 52
Original Language: English