Risk factors for unwanted pregnancy and subsequent abortion among women aged 16 to 25 years in Latvia

Objective To investigate the risk factors associated with unwanted pregnancy in 16- to 25-year-old women in Latvia. Methods Case-control study of 16- to 25-year-old, sexually active women who did not want to get pregnant: the cases were 144 women who underwent their fi rst abortion whereas 278 nulliparous women served as controls. Data concerning them were obtained by using a semi-structured anonymous questionnaire that included questions about education, sexual life habits, contraceptive practice and a multiple-choice test to assess knowledge about contraception. Results Women who underwent an abortion had had more lifetime sexual partners, had more often not used any contraception, and we…