[New results of comparative studies of motivation and social factors influencing abortion in East Germany]

In 11 departments of gynaecology 2,700 patients with legal abortions had been as well in 1976 as in 1981 and 1,800 ones in 1987. The following results could be found: The average age decreased from 28.3 to 27.3 years and the portion of patients below 18 years increased from 6% to 8%. The portion of pupils, apprentices and students increased from 10% to 14%. 80% respectively 77% the women had born children previously. 33% respectively 38% of these women later on ant to have children yet. The portion of repeated artificial abortions increased from 16% to 35%. Motivations of artificial abortions changed only a little bit. The following motives were the main ones: Realized wish to children, age of the woman, inconvenient intervals of the born children and general familiar aspects. The hitherto existing use of hormonal contraception increased from 39% to 97%. Aspects of possible health damages and aspects of indifference were the main explanations of the non-use of hormonal contraception. 96% of the women intend to use one form of contraception (67% hormonal contraception, 15% IUD and 14% classic methods) in future. The main tasks to restrict the numbers of artificial abortions are: --Improvement of sexual-ethical education of the children an teenagers to responsible partnership.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)