The seasonality of abortion in Kentucky

Contraception. 2017 Feb;95(2):181-185. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2016.08.019. Epub 2016 Sep 1.

Abstract

Objectives: Abortion incidence is correlated with seasonal trends in conceptions and births. This retrospective review looks at monthly abortion incidence to detect a seasonal trend.

Study design: Data on abortion incidence in 2012 were obtained from the Kentucky Department of Vital Statistics. A regression analysis was performed to detect differences in abortion annualized rates by month.

Results: A total of 3810 abortions analyzed showed a trend in abortion incidence peaking in February and March with 444 and 378 abortions per month, respectively, compared to a mean of 299 in other months (p<.001). This trend persisted for second-trimester abortions with 64 and 56 abortions per month in February and March, respectively, compared to a mean of 30 in other months (p<.001).

Conclusion: The peak in first-trimester abortions correlate with the expected peaks of December conceptions. However, the same trend in second-trimester abortions suggests that women are delaying care.

Keywords: Abortion; Abortion access; Abortion funding; Abortion induced.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kentucky
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second
  • Regression Analysis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seasons*
  • Young Adult