OBJECTIVETo study the factors related to repeated abortions among unmarried young people, and to standardize the services as informed choice counseling and post abortion, and to reduce the repeated abortion rate.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey using anonymous questionnaire was conducted among unmarried young women who requested termination of early pregnancy in 10 hospitals in Shanghai.

RESULTS2343 subjects responded to the questionnaires. Results showed that the repeated abortion rate was 38.5%, repeated abortion rate within 1 year was 23.5%, and the high risk factors of abortion accounted for 40.2% . Subjects who were older than 19, unemployed, with poor education background, cohabitating and boyfriends being elder were more likely to have repeated abortions (OR > 1). Subjects who did not change boyfriend or use no contraception were more likely to have repeated abortions 1 year after abortion (OR > 1).

CONCLUSIONNo reliable contraception used after abortion seemed to be the main reason for repeated unwanted pregnancy. Being socially disadvantaged women such as unemployed or with poor education background, meanwhile cohabitating with boyfriends or boyfriends being elder etc. they should be viewed as the key population for intervention. Male involvement and reliable contraceptive methods use among young people should be emphasized as key steps for intervention. 1 year after abortion fell into the key period for intervention. Reinforcement on factors including: training for service providers to improve their skills, setting up standard technical process and monitoring systems to carry out the basic principle of 'Informed Choice', and widely launching post-coital contraception programs including emergency contraception, luteal phase contraception and menstrual induction should be stressed.

Abortion Applicants ; statistics & numerical data ; Abortion, Induced ; statistics & numerical data ; Adolescent ; China ; epidemiology ; Contraception Behavior ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult