Socio-demographic characteristics of women requesting induced abortion. A cross-sectional study from the municipality of Malmö, Sweden.

The aim of this study in an urban population has been to describe socio-demographic characteristics of women seeking an induced abortion. The 1,220 cases in the study correspond to an annual abortion rate of 26.0 per 1,000 women aged 15-44. There were substantial differences from 10.1 to 42.6 per 1,000 women in the 18 different urban areas. High rate areas had, in comparison with the municipal average, a higher percentage of people with low income, low education, foreign background, and people in need of social welfare. There was also a higher percentage of people living alone and a higher migration rate. Women applying for an induced abortion had similar socio-demographic characteristics. It is concluded that these associations should be considered in future family planning programs and that preventive efforts probably can be made more cost effective by concentrating on areas and individuals with these socio-demographic characteristics.