Prevalence and factors associated with abortion among pastoralist community in Ethiopia: Community-based cross-sectional study

Background Every year, an estimated 121 million unwanted pregnancies occur worldwide, with 61% ending in abortion. Despite this, there was limited information on abortion status in the pastoralist community in Ethiopia. Objective To determine the prevalence and factors associated with abortion among reproductive age group women in the pastoralist community of Afar region in Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2018. A systematic sampling technique was employed to approach 891 reproductive age group women. Data were collected through Open Data Kit and then analyzed using Stata version 16.1. Independent variables with a p-value of less than 0.25 in the bivariate logistic regression were considered in multivariable logistic regression. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval were used to consider the statistical significance of associations among the variables. Result Prevalence of abortion among the pastoralist community was 21.78%. Number of pregnancy (AOR= 3.24, 95% CI: 2.07, 5.05), availability of community health facility (AOR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.73), optimal birth interval (AOR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.31) and ANC visit (AOR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.91) were statistically significant predictors. Conclusion Abortion is critical public health issue among pastoralist community. The significant predictors of abortion were number of pregnancy, availability of community health facility, optimal birth interval and ANC visits. Drawing attention to contraceptives for all groups of women, promoting and providing ANC visit, and establishing community health facilities are essential in reducing abortions.