Determinants of induced abortion in Hungary 1994-1998

Catherine Gourbin, Université Catholique de Louvain
Eva Gardos, Hungarian Central Statistical Office
Ferenc Kamaras, Hungarian Central Statistical Office

The paper will firstly present a broad overview of the trends in induced abortion in Hungary since 1956 in relation with the modifications of the legal context in which it occurs. It will then focus on the period 1994-1998 and study the individual determinants of induced abortion. Data concerning the evolution will be taken from the Hungarian demographic yearbooks referring to the period 1956-2004. Individual data drawn from the data base on records on interruption of pregnancy for the period 1994-1998 will be used for the study of the determinants of induced abortions, in comparison with women who have had a live birth during the same period. For this purpose, the two population data bases on induced abortions and live births from the vital registration system have been integrated. The following determinants will be considered in a multivariate approach: woman's age, marital status, education, activity, occupation, previous pregnancies and outcomes.