Determinants of Self-Induced Abortion In Unintended Pregnancies: Insights from Private Maternity Clinics Peshawar

Background: Self-induced abortion is the result of unintended pregnancy, a modifiable risk factor of maternal and neonatal mortality. As a stigmatized method of fertility control, females seek medical care from private clinics, highlighting a critical public health challenge with global implications. Addressing this issue is essential for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes and reducing preventable deaths.Objective: To assess the factors associated with self-induced abortions as a result of unintended pregnancies in married women seeking healthcare at private maternity clinics in Peshawar.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted in private maternity clinics from July to December 2022, analyzed the association between self-induced abortions SIA and exploratory factors. A pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection, univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted on 298 female patients' data, recruited through a multi-stage sampling technique.Results: Out of 298 participants in 10 clinics, 92 experienced SIA, with 35.9% Afghan nationals primarily due to a younger child, an unwanted pregnancy, and financial insecurity.In multivariate analysis, the main factors were Nationality (OR 3.5,95% CI=0.803-18.51), Labour-induced medications usage (OR 18.547,95%CI=4.33-79.38), grand multiparty (OR 2.8909,95%CI=1.536-5.439), husband addiction (OR 5.847,95%CI=1.28-26.60) and SIA decision by husband or herself (OR 3.969,95%CI=2.932- 5.374).Conclusion: Regarding Family planning methods, labour-induced medications, and psychosocial factors, this study investigates the prevalence of self-induced methods in various nationalities and helps to provide knowledge regarding informal clinics so that they can be included in an integrated national family program.Keywords: Private maternity clinics, Psychosocial factors, Self-induced abortion, Unintended pregnancies.