Abstract
Objectives
To analyze the social factors influencing unmarried pregnancies in urban population.
Methodology
Observational study was conducted at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chennai, from January 2006 to December 2010. Convenience sampling technique was used, and 115 subjects were interviewed using structured questionnaire.
Results
15.6 % of the subjects were <16 years of age, and 40.8 % were between 17 and 19 years. 21.7 % of the subjects were illiterate. In 60 % of cases, the average daily income was less than Rs. 100. There was history of alcoholism in 60 % of family members. 80 % of girls were involved in sexual activity willingly, and in 20 %, the subjects were assaulted by force. Five subjects were mentally retarded. 52 % were involved in sexual activity with married men. 72 % reported for termination in the second trimester.
Conclusion
There is a need for educating girls in the area of gender relationship. Contraceptive awareness should be created.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Population council. Youth in India: situation and needs 2006–2007, Mumbai, 11PS; 2010. http://www.popcouncil.org/asia/india.html, http://www.iipsindia.org.
Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. Study on child abuse India 2007; 2007.
Sujay R. Premarital sexual behaviour amongst unmarried college students of Gujarat, India. Health and Population Innovation Fellowship Programme Working Paper, New Delhi. Population Council, 2009, No. 9. http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/wp/India.
Ganatra BR, Hirve S. Induced abortions among adolescent women in rural Maharashtra. Reprod Health Matters. 2002;10(19):76–85.
Handa PR, Mahajan U, Gupta I. A comparative study of the socio-clinical profile of unmarried and married subjects seeking medical termination of pregnancy—ten year analysis. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 1991;41(3):288–91.
Allahbadia G, Ambiye VR, Vaidya PR, et al. Adolescent sexuality, pregnancy and abortion (a prospective study of 100 pregnancy terminations). J Obstet Gynaecol India. 1990;40(2):152–5.
Jejeebhoy SJ, Kalyanwala S, Francis AJ, et al. Pathways to induced abortion among unmarried young women: are the unmarried more vulnerable than the married? New Delhi: Population Council. http://iussp2009.princeton.edu/papers/92622.s.
Kalyanwala S, Francis Zavier AJ, Jejeebhoy S, et al. Abortion experiences of unmarried young women in India: evidence from a facility based study in Bihar and Jharkhand. Int Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2010;36(2):62–71.
Salvi V, Damania KR, Daftary SN, et al. MTPs in Indian adolescents. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 1991;41(1):33–6.
Behera RC, Padte K. Unwanted adolescent pregnancy: its present status. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 1991;41(1):25–9.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Prabhu, T.R.B. Legal Abortions in the Unmarried Women: Social Issues Revisited. J Obstet Gynecol India 64, 184–188 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-014-0510-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-014-0510-y