Determinants of medical termination of pregnancy with special reference to contraceptive practices among women in a tertiary care hospital in Central India

Neha Lilare; Alka Kaware; Rushali Lilare; Mahesh Jajulwar

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20262275

Authors

Neha Lilare Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Alka Kaware Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Rushali Lilare Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Mahesh Jajulwar Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20262275

Keywords:

Abortion, Contraceptives, Indications, MTP, Medical reasons

Abstract

Background: A safe and efficient way to end pregnancies in their early stages is by medical termination of pregnancy (MTP), commonly referred to as medical abortion. Considering the increasing MTP rates in our country and their consequences on women’s health, it is important to understand the underlying determinants of women choosing MTP in India. Hence this study was carried out is to assess contraceptive practices, the antenatal and socio-demographic determinants among women undergoing MTP in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted in Obstetrics and Gynaecology ward of a tertiary care hospital in Nagpur, Maharashtra from July 2025 to October 2025 among 185 women undergoing MTP. Association between categorical variables was analyzed using Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test.

Results: The most common reason for undergoing MTP was completed family while most common indication found was non usage of contraceptives. Age, socioeconomic status, gestational age, previous abortion, and spacing between pregnancies showed significant associations with indication for MTP.

Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for strengthening contraceptive services and addressing behavioural and social barriers to reduce unintended pregnancies. Based on the above research findings, we recommend that a comprehensive counseling should be provided at all contact points, especially during antenatal visits, postnatal care, and post-abortion services to promote informed contraceptive choices including awareness programs for husbands.

References

Sethi S, Arora P, Thimmaiah G. Medical Termination of Pregnancy: Contrast in American and Indian Positions in the Global Scenario. Indian J Community Med. 2025;50(6):883-7.

Leichombam R, Bawiskar D. Exploring the Safety and Efficacy of Medical Termination of Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus. 2023;15(10):e46444.

Berer M. Termination of pregnancy as emergency obstetric care: The interpretation of Catholic health policy and the consequences for pregnant women. An analysis of the death of Savita Halappanavar in Ireland and similar cases. Reprod Health Matters. 2013;21:9-17.

Sharma S, Jaiswal AK, Singh RK, Kumar P, Mehra S. Differential access to facilities for medical termination of pregnancy and delivery in India: A secondary analysis. Clin Epidemiol Glob Health. 2021;12(100825):100825.

Open. India sees sharp rise in recorded abortions, driven by state-level disparities. Open The Magazine. 2025. Available at: https://openthemagazine.com/feature/india-sees-sharp-rise-in-recorded-abortions-driven-by-state-level-disparities. Accessed on 13 March 2026.

Sinha A, Sinha R. Recent amendment in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act in India: Empowering women’s health. Indian J Public Health. 2024;68:130-2.

Kandanoor Ayesha P. A Retrospective Cohort Study on Epidemiology of MTP Seekers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India. Indian J Public Health Res Develop. 2024;15(4):10.

World Health Organization. Abortion. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2024. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abortion. Accessed on 13 March 2026.

Karale A, Shinde KK, Risbud N, Pandey A. Sociodemographic determinants of medical termination of pregnancy along with contraceptive practices. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2018;7:3034-8.

Mandal I, Hossain SR. Modified Kuppuswamy scale updated for the year 2025. Int J Community Med Public Health. 2025;12:2423-5.

Shankar R, Tyagi S, Sharma J. Updated Socio-Economic Status Scales: A Review of the Modified Kuppuswamy and Modified BG Prasad Indices for April 2025. Natl J Community Med. 2025;16(9):942-5.

Mohapatra V, Panda N, Misra S. Family planning practices among women seeking induced abortion: An institution-based cross-sectional study from Eastern India. J Family Med Primary Care. 2022;11(10):6339-44.

Katke RD, Prabhudesai AA. Socio-epidemiological factors of medical termination of pregnancy: an overview in a tertiary care institute. Int J Res Med Sci. 2016;4:1061-4.

Habung Y, Yam N, Basar T. A study on medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) in North East part of India: incidence, socio-demographic and obstetrics profile in a tertiary care hospital. Obstet Gynaecol Forum. 2024;34(3):867-72.

Patel R, Ghosh R. KAP study of contraception in clients undergoing MTP and sterilization in Gujarat, India. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2017;6:2503-6.

Sheng B, Yao D, Zhang H, Tang J, Du X. Knowledge, attitude and practice of contraceptive methods among women with an unplanned pregnancy. BMJ Open. 2024;14(3):e078364.

Kapsikar S, Gedam S, Ramteke S, Sharma S. Retrospective study of the indications for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) in a tertiary care institute. Int J Med Public Health. 202;15(2):103-07.

Pallikadavath S, Stones RW. Maternal and social factors associated with abortion in India: a population-based study. Int Fam Plan Perspect. 2006;32(3):120-5.

Uma Maheswari R, Jayanthi TP.Abortion seeking behaviour: a study from tertiary care hospital. Int J Community Med Public Health. 2017;4:2303-7.

Kolhe A, Maharsh A, Rachakonda L. Correlation of contraceptive use with medical termination of pregnancy. Global J Res Analysis. 2025;14(5):240-1.