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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Human Immunodeficiency Virus | Research

Induced abortions of women living with HIV in Finland 1987–2019: a national register study

Authors: Mikaela Mutru, Pia Kivelä, Jukka Ollgren, Kirsi Liitsola, Mika Gissler, Inka Aho

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

Recent data on the rate and risk factors of induced abortion among women living with HIV (WLWH) are limited. Our aim was to use Finnish national health register data to 1) determine the nationwide rate of induced abortions of WLWH in Finland during 1987–2019, 2) compare the rates of induced abortions before and after HIV diagnosis over different time periods, 3) determine the factors associated with terminating a pregnancy after HIV diagnosis, and 4) estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV at induced abortions to see whether routine testing should be implemented.

Methods

A retrospective nationwide register study of all WLWH in Finland 1987–2019 (n = 1017). Data from several registers were combined to identify all induced abortions and deliveries of WLWH before and after HIV diagnosis. Factors associated with terminating a pregnancy were assessed with predictive multivariable logistic regression models. The prevalence of undiagnosed HIV at induced abortion was estimated by comparing the induced abortions among WLWH before HIV diagnosis to the number of induced abortions in Finland.

Results

Rate of induced abortions among WLWH decreased from 42.8 to 14.7 abortions/1000 follow-up years from 1987–1997 to 2009–2019, more prominently in abortions after HIV diagnosis. After 1997 being diagnosed with HIV was not associated with an increased risk of terminating a pregnancy. Factors associated with induced abortion in pregnancies that began after HIV diagnosis 1998–2019 were being foreign-born (OR 3.09, 95% CI 1.55–6.19), younger age (OR 0.95 per year, 95% CI 0.90–1.00), previous induced abortions (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.80–6.28), and previous deliveries (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.08–4.21). Estimated prevalence of undiagnosed HIV at induced abortion was 0.008–0.029%.

Conclusions

Rate of induced abortions among WLWH has decreased. Family planning should be discussed at every follow-up appointment. Routine testing of HIV at all induced abortions is not cost-effective in Finland due to low prevalence.

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Title: Induced abortions of women living with HIV in Finland 1987–2019: a national register study
Authors: Mikaela Mutru
Pia Kivelä
Jukka Ollgren
Kirsi Liitsola
Mika Gissler
Inka Aho
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05430-x

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Induced abortions of women living with HIV in Finland 1987–2019: a national register study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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