Objectives: To determine the proportion of women undergoing multiple abortions within 1 year at an urban, public hospital and the association with desired contraception after the index abortion. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all women undergoing abortion up to 13 weeks and 6 days gestation at Stroger Hospital from June 1, 2012 to May 31, 2014. We examined the proportion of women with additional abortions up to 1 year after the index abortion and contraception desired at the index abortion. We also collected data about Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhea (GC) infection in surgical abortion patients, to assess suitability for intrauterine device insertion immediately postabortion. Results: Of the 5,104 women with an abortion in the study period, 720 (14.1%) had at least one additional abortion within 1 year. Among women with multiple abortions, 153 (21.3%) selected Tier 1 contraception, 359 (49.8%) Tier 2, 103 (14.3%) Tier 3, and 105 (14.6%) were undecided or desired no method. The contraception desired at the index abortion did not differ significantly between women with and without subsequent abortions (p = 0.107). CT/GC coinfection and CT infection alone were associated with having multiple abortions over the 1-year period (p = 0.020 and p = 0.006). Conclusions: Among women presenting for abortion at an urban, public hospital, desired contraception did not differ significantly between women with multiple abortions versus one abortion within 1 year, but prevalence of CT/GC did. Women at high risk for multiple abortions may benefit from immediate postabortion IUD insertion to avoid unintended pregnancy, provided risk of infection is carefully evaluated.
Keywords: abortion; contraception; reproductive health.