Factors associated with induced abortion Among women: the lived experience of women from abortion in Tehran

In Iran, induced abortion is prohibited unless the life of the mother is in danger or if or her fetus is diagnosed with a disease or defect. However many women with an unwanted pregnancy who wants to terminate their pregnancy, must resort to an unqualified practitioners and unsafe abortion. This study used qualitative research method and in-depth interviews to explore reasons for induced abortion in the city of Tehran, Iran. The required data were collected through in-depth interviews with 50 women who had experienced induced abortion during August and September 2014. The interviews continued to reach the theoretical saturation..The results showed two group of women decided to perform abortions. The groups of women were childless women who are single or in the early months of marriage. Others have one child or more. According to results, decisions are made within the framework of weighing costs and benefits and risk aversion. In circumstances like illegal pregnancy, addiction, family conflicts, insecurity and uncertainty in marital relation, financial and economic problems, low participation of men in housework and childcare and the incompatibility of work and childbearing, the cost (material and immaterial) of having an unwanted child is more than abortion. When women are forced to abort, one may consider this a “rational action to avoid of aversion. So in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions and improving women's health, revision to the Iran’s family planning policies and abortion law, providing health policies comply with the new requirements is proposed.