Induced Abortions and Birth Outcomes of Women With a History of Severe Psychosocial Problems in Adolescence

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo increase knowledge on the reproductive health of women who have been placed in a residential school, a child welfare facility for adolescents with severe psychosocial problems.MethodsAll women (n = 291) who lived in the Finnish residential schools on the last day of the years 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006 were included in this study and compared with matched general population controls. Register-based information on induced abortions and births was collected until the end of the year 2011.ResultsCompared to controls, women with a residential school history had more induced abortions. A higher proportion of their births took place when they were teenagers or even minors. They were more often single, smoked significantly more during pregnancy and had a higher risk of having a preterm birth or a baby with a low birth weight.ConclusionsThe findings have implications for the planning of preventive and supportive interventions that aim to increase the well-being of women with a residential school history and their offspring.