Magnitude of late presentation for induced abortion care services and the associated factors among reproductive-age women at selected hospitals in the South Gondar district of Northwest Ethiopia in 2023: a multicentred, cross-sectional study.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the magnitude of and the factors associated with late presentation for induced abortion care services at hospitals in the South Gondar district of Ethiopia.

Design: This study employed an institution-based, cross-sectional design.

Setting: The study was conducted at five hospitals in the South Gondar district of Ethiopia.

Participants: A total of 381 women recruited through systematic random sampling techniques from October 2022 to February 2023 participated in the study. All women presenting for safe abortion care services at selected hospitals during the data collection period were included, whereas induced abortion care service due to the pregnancy being a high risk to maternal health or at high risk for fetal anomaly were excluded from the study. Data were collected at the abortion clinic at the time of presentation through face-to-face interviews using a pretested and structured questionnaire.

Outcome Measures: The magnitude of and the factors associated with late presentation for induced abortion care service were assessed in the study.

Statistical Analysis: The collected data were entered and coded using EpiData V.4.6, and SPSS V.25 was used for analysis. Binary logistic regression analyses were undertaken to identify the factors associated with the outcome variable. The level of significance was declared at a p value of <0.05.

Results: The magnitude of late presentation for induced abortion care service was 21.5% (95% CI 17.7, 25.7). Being a rural resident (adjusted OR (AOR) = 1.934; 95% CI 1.010, 3.703), history of use of contraceptives (AOR=0.462; 95% CI 0.227, 0.938), having irregular menstrual cycles (AOR=5.132; 95% CI 2.648, 9.944), delayed decision for termination (AOR=8.196; 95% CI 3.996, 16.808) and pregnancy resulting from incest (AOR=2.549; 95% CI 1.286, 5.052) were factors significantly associated with late presentation for induced abortion care.

Conclusion: Increased awareness and education in rural communities related to late presentations for induced abortion and the associated complications may facilitate timely decision-making in the context of induced abortion, resulting in reduced morbidity and mortality.