Social support for women undergoing induced abortions in Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract Background Having an unwanted pregnancy requires social support to help women ease the stress and stigma of having an induced abortion. The study aimed to investigate the main providers of social support to women having induced abortions. Methods Women undergoing induced abortions from 2022 to 2024 in a University clinic in Belgrade were invited to participate. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire examining socio-demographic data of women and sources of social support. Results This study included 433 women out of which 50.1% informed their mothers about the abortion, 23.1% their fathers, 87.3% their partners, 42.3% their friends, and 1.6% women told no one about the abortion. A total of 40% of women were supported to undergo the abortion by their parents, 80.1% by their partner, 34.9% by friends, and there were 2.1% of women who did not get any support to perform abortion. There were significantly more (p = 0.001) mothers (163 vs. 54), fathers (87 vs. 13), partners (331 vs. 47), and friends (136 vs. 47) who were informed about the abortion and also supported women compared to those who did not provide support. Getting support for the abortion by the parents was associated with younger age, not being in a relationship, and not having children. Support of the partner was linked to older age, higher education, being unemployed, being married with more children, and having abortions previously. Being supported by friends or not being supported at all did not correlate with socio-demographic data of the investigated women. Conclusions Women are generally supported by their family and friends in their decision to have induced abortions. This study identified socio-demographic factors that impact the choice of principal supporting person when undergoing induced abortion. Key messages • Partners are the main source of social support for married women who had induced abortion. • Parents are principal social supporters for single younger women undergoing induced abortion.