Total number of induced abortions occurring in a given year or reference period; the enumerated or estimated mid-period population for the same period

Data Source(s):

Data on abortions: where abortion laws are liberal, of­ficial statistics are likely to provide the most accurate numbers; where abortion is restricted, data will be less accurate but one may derive estimates from surveys of providers, population-based surveys, hospital-based studies, or a combination of sources.

Purpose:

Rates and ratios are two of the most widely used abor­tion measures. They are indispensable statistics for documenting levels of abortion across time and space. The abortion rate is a useful tool in the evaluation of contraceptive services, either for the purpose of setting a baseline or for measuring progress. The abortion rate reflects contraceptive method and user effectiveness, as well as access to services. The rate is less useful than facility-based or other data for the evaluation of demonstration projects or the effects of separate pro­gram components.

Issue(s):

Rates and ratios are often seriously compro­mised in terms of accuracy.  As stated above, where abortion is restricted, data are likely to be inaccurate. In these circumstances, data may require adjusting for underreporting, misclassification or socioeconomic con­ditions that reflect the safety of clandestine abortion and the likelihood that a woman with complications from an induced abortion seeks and receives treatment. Even in less restricted settings, research has shown that women underreport their abortion experiences. Where judicial reprisal or severe physical or psychological damage is a possibility, accurate reporting is even less likely.  For years, researchers have attempted different methods for collecting sensitive and personal informa­tion at little or no threat to the research subjects. The National Survey of Family Growth in the United States includes computer-assisted inter­views, which maximize a respondent‘s privacy.