[Prevalence of induced abortions and family planning in Benin].

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the extent of induced abortion as a practice of family planning.

Study Design: Benin regional public and private records from 1990 to 1994 were used to examine frequencies of induced abortion and contraceptive utilization and describe trends. Descriptive statistics such as variation coefficient and chi 2 were use to compare inter-regional prevalence.

Results: Prevalence of induced abortion was 1.5/1000 delivery and that of contraceptive use 11.4/1000. From 1990 to 1994 prevalence of induced abortion and of contraceptive use increased significantly (p < 0.05). Similar trends were observed for inter-regional contraceptive use.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that increasing use of contraceptives did not lead to decreased induced abortion prevalence in Benin. They may help decision makers to reinforce sensibilization about the danger of induced abortion.