Codes and Frequencies
Description
ABORTNO reports the number of induced abortions the respondent has had, from none to 10 or more abortions.
Many surveys collect information about pregnancy terminations (pregnancies that did not result in a live birth), but do not distinguish between induced abortion, miscarriage, and stillbirth. By contrast, ABORTNO specifically refers to induced abortion.
In countries where abortion is not legal, respondents may tend to reclassify an induced abortion as an accidental miscarriage.
The related variables MISCARRYNO and STILLBIRTHNO report the number of other types of pregnancy termination not resulting in a live birth.
Comparability — Index
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GENERAL |
Malawi |
Comparability
ABORTNO has no comparability problems.
Comparability - Standard DHS
ABORTNO is a country-specific variable not included in any of the standard DHS questionnaires.
Comparability — Malawi [top]
The 2016 Malawi survey text states that the interviewer will ask separately about pregnancies that miscarried, aborted pregnancies, and pregnancies ending in stillbirth. After that preamble, the interviewer states, "Please include abortions induced by cytotec or other medicines/herbs with abortive effect, conducted at home or elsewhere by yourself or with the help of a health professional." Abortions carried out in other ways--such as vacuum aspiration or Dilation and Evacuation in a medical facility--are also implicitly included.
Universe
- Central African Republic 1995: Women age 15-49 who ever had a terminated pregnancy.
- Chad 1996: All women age 15-49.
- Chad 2004: Women age 15-49 who had more than one pregnancy terminated by abortion, stillbirth, or miscarriage.
- Congo Brazzaville 2011: Women age 15-49 who ever had a terminated pregnancy.
- Malawi 2016: Women age 15-49 who ever had a terminated pregnancy.
