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Discrepancies in Iran's Abortion Statistics: A Call for Evidence-Based Policy
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Javad Ghasemi   , Nouzar Nakhaee *  |
| Health Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran , nakhaeen@kmu.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (28 Views) |
Background: Conflicting abortion statistics in Iran hinder policymaking, with scientific estimates (7.5–10.8 per 1,000) differing from official figures (300,000–600,000 annually).
Methods: We employed a regression equation approach to estimate abortion rates based on the correlation between modern contraceptive prevalence and the total abortion rate (TAR). Data from the 2022 Kerman Fertility Survey (4,684 married women) indicated a contraceptive prevalence of 52.2%. The TAR was calculated using the formula TAR = 4.0 − 0.07 × modern contraceptive use, leading to the annual abortion rate estimation.
Results: The estimated annual abortion rate was 9.89 per 1,000 married women, consistent with scientific studies and significantly lower than official estimates, which suggest rates of 17.1 to 35.4 per 1,000.
Conclusion: The disparity between scientific and governmental estimates underscores the importance of relying on evidence-based research for policymaking in Iran to effectively address unsafe abortions and improve reproductive health strategies. |
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| Keywords: Abortion, Iran, Policy, Pregnancy |
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Full-Text [PDF 344 kb]
(9 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Letter to the editor |
Subject:
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Received: 2025/01/1 | Accepted: 2025/06/22 | Published: 2025/06/30
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