Methods
We performed a cross-sectional study of women obtaining abortion at the Center for Reproductive Health (CRH) at University of Illinois Health Sciences Center and Reproductive Health Services (RHS) at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital between August 2009 and August 2013. Gestational age limits at CRH and RHS were 23 + 6 and 13 + 6 weeks, respectively. We estimated the prevalence of rape-related pregnancy based on billing code (CRH) or data from an administrative database (RHS), and examined relationships between rape-related pregnancy and demographic and clinical variables.
Results
19,465 visits for abortion were included. The majority of patients were Black (85.6%). Prevalence of abortion for rape-related pregnancy was 1.9%, and was higher at CRH (6.9%) than RHS (1.5%). Later gestational age was associated with abortion for rape-related pregnancy (median 12 days, p < 0.001). Younger age and Black race were associated with abortion for rape-related pregnancy at CRH only (p < 0.001 for both). Chlamydia and gonorrhea infection were no more prevalent among women terminating rape-related pregnancy than among those terminating for other indications
Seven per cent of abortions for rape-related pregnancy?
It makes you wonder...
Is this a statistical blip? Is there something about that clinic in particular that attracts victims of rape?
Hmm....
