Publications Summary


Document Type
Further Analysis
Publication Topic(s)
Family Planning, Fertility and Fertility Preferences
Country(s)
,Georgia
Survey
,Georgia RHS, 2005
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Westoff, Charles F., and Florina I. Serbanescu. 2008. The Relationship Between Contraception and Abortion in the Republic of Georgia: Further Analysis of the 1999 and 2005 Reproductive Health Surveys. DHS Further Analysis Reports No. 55. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Macro International
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RIS format / Text format / Endnote format
Publication Date
August 2008
Publication ID
FA55

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Abstract:

In the Republic of Georgia the rate of 3.1 abortions per woman in 2003-05 may be the highest in the world. The abortion rate had declined from 3.8 in 1996-99. This report is a study of that change based on interview data collected in the Reproductive Health Surveys conducted in 1999 and 2005 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Couples in Georgia are clearly aiming for very small families with a total fertility rate of 1.6 births per woman. Because their desired family size is reached early in marriage, women are exposed to the risk of unintentional pregnancy over a long period of time. The latest survey showed that 62 percent of pregnancies were unintended with almost all (96 percent) of these terminated by abortion. Contraceptive use is relatively low in Georgia with only 27% of married women using a modern method, a slight increase from five years earlier. Contraceptive failure rates are particularly high among women using traditional methods, mostly withdrawal. Nonuse of any contraception is the main explanation of the high abortion rate, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all abortions. Several simulations showed the large effect on the reduction of abortion by increases in the use of modern contraceptive methods. For example, if nonusers at high risk of unintended pregnancy and those using a traditional method were to use a modern method, the abortion rate could be expected to drop by 53%.

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