Adolescent Abortion Rates and Associated Factors in Vietnam: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Adolescent pregnancy and unsafe abortion constitute a global public health crisis, particularly in developing nations. In Vietnam, the rising trend of abortion in this demographic necessitates a profound understanding of associated factors to facilitate timely intervention. Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of adolescent abortion and analyze associated demographic, knowledge, and reproductive health behavior factors in Vietnam. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 422 pregnant subjects (37 adolescents and 385 adults) presenting for abortion in Ho Chi Minh City. Data were collected via direct interviews and analyzed using Stata 17 software, employing Chi-square tests and odds ratios (OR) with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The adolescent abortion rate was 8.77%. The majority of adolescents seeking abortion were students (54.05%) and unmarried (83.78%). Adolescents exhibited a 5.28 times higher risk of irregular contraceptive use compared to adults (OR=5.28; 95% CI: 1.98-17.67). The primary reason for abortion was "continuing education" (48.65%). Knowledge regarding the fertile window was significantly lower among adolescents compared to adults (OR=0.25). Conclusion: The rate of adolescent abortion is alarmingly high and is strongly correlated with deficiencies in reproductive knowledge, marital status, and economic dependence. Enhanced sex education and access to adolescent-friendly contraceptive services are imperative.