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Effectiveness of Family Planning Policies: The Abortion Paradox

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Listed:
  • Nathalie Bajos
  • Mireille Le Guen
  • Aline Bohet
  • Henri Panjo
  • Caroline Moreau
  • the FECOND group

Abstract

Objective: The relation between levels of contraceptive use and the incidence of induced abortion remains a topic of heated debate. Many of the contradictions are likely due to the fact that abortion is the end point of a process that starts with sexual activity, contraceptive use (or non-use), followed by unwanted pregnancy, a decision to terminate, and access to abortion. Trends in abortion rates reflect changes in each step of this process, and opposing trends may cancel each other out. This paper aims to investigate the roles played by the dissemination of contraception and the evolving norms of motherhood on changes in abortion rates. Methods: Drawing data from six national probability surveys that explored contraception and pregnancy wantedness in France from 1978 through 2010, we used multivariate linear regression to explore the associations between trends in contraceptive rates and trends in (i) abortion rates, (ii) unwanted pregnancy rates, (iii) and unwanted birth rates, and to determine which of these 3 associations was strongest. Findings: The association between contraceptive rates and abortion rates over time was weaker than that between contraception rates and unwanted pregnancy rates (p = 0.003). Similarly, the association between contraceptive rates and unwanted birth rates over time was weaker than that between contraceptive rates and unwanted pregnancy rates (p = 0.000).

Suggested Citation

  • Nathalie Bajos & Mireille Le Guen & Aline Bohet & Henri Panjo & Caroline Moreau & the FECOND group, 2014. "Effectiveness of Family Planning Policies: The Abortion Paradox," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(3), pages 1-7, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0091539
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091539
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Spira, A. & Bajos, N. & Giami, A. & Michaels, S., 1998. "Cross-national comparisons of sexual behavior surveys--methodological difficulties and lessons for prevention," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 88(5), pages 730-731.
    2. Santelli, J.S., 2008. "Medical accuracy in sexuality education: Ideology and the scientific process," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(10), pages 1786-1792.
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