Publication:

Socio-epidemiological factors of medical termination of pregnancy: an overview in a tertiary care institute

Background The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) was legalized in India by an Act in 1971. The present study is a data analysis over 5 years to gauge the changing trends in the urban government establishment with respect to various socio economical parameters. The objective of the study was to find out the incidence rate of the MTP in the urban government run hospital. The auxiliary objective was to find out the reason for which the MTP is carried out; the age group availing the facility of the services and the secondary contraception the couple uses after the MTP.

Methods A Five (5) year data of MTP was analyzed by keeping the MTP register of the hospital as a reference. The data is presented in the formal protocol of data presentation.

Results The incidence rate of MTP is 27.93/1000 live births in the institute. The primary reason of MTP is failure of contraception. This fact highlights unmet need of contraception and counselling. The maternal age group of 21-30 yrs is availing MTP services the most. The surgical method is more prevalent than the medical method in practicing the MTP. The permanent method of contraception in the form of Tubal ligation is increasing as a choice of contraception after MTP.

Conclusions The awareness of MTP Act and impact of legalizing the abortion is increasing the society and the increasing number of service rendered through the government establishment underlines the increasing faith in the system. The incidence rate of MTP is 27.93/1000 live births in the institute. The primary reason of MTP is failure of contraception. This fact highlights the huge unmet need of contraception and counselling. The maternal age group of 21-30 yrs is availing MTP services the most. Though there is changing trends for medical method of termination of pregnancy but the surgical method is still favoured. The permanent method of contraception in the form of Tubal ligation is increasing as a choice of contraception after MTP. Still the religious differences are evident in availing the MTP services and needs to be addressed tactfully.