Direct and Indirect Estimation of Intentional Abortion and Exploring Its Related Causes, Methods and Consequences in the Last 5 Years in Women in Tehran: A Mixed Methods Study Protocol Publisher



Mehdizadeh Tourzani Z ; Khosravi S ; Yunesian M ; Shamsipour M ; Hasanzadeh R ; Shahbazi Sighaldeh S
Source: Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health Published:2026

Abstract

Background & aim: Unsafe abortion is a major issue in developing countries. Legal, cultural, religious, and customary challenges surrounding the issue of intentional abortion limit direct assessment of the status of intentional abortion and its associated factors in different regions of the world. Therefore, indirect methods of inquiry are useful in this sensitive issue. In direct estimation, the answers to the questions are direct and clear, but in indirect estimation, non-random answers are used. This study aims to estimate the rate of intentional abortions in Tehran over the past five years and to explore its related causes, methods, and consequences. Methods: This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study will be conducted in Tehran, Iran. In the first stage, a descriptive cross-sectional study will be conducted on 831 women aged 15 to 49, using random sampling and a four-part quantitative questionnaire. Then, the data will be analyzed by SPSS 22 software using Fisher's exact test, chi-square, and regression model. In the second stage, based on the results of the first stage, a qualitative study will be conducted with purposeful selection of participants (women seeking intentional abortion), with a qualitative content analysis approach until data saturation. Finally, both quantitative and qualitative data sets will be integrated to form a comprehensive interpretation. Discussion: Using indirect methods for investigating sensitive topics such as intentional abortions, that individuals may conceal, could provide a more accurate estimate of this issue, which can be used to design and implement healthcare programs for all people with unsafe abortions. CoPyright © 2023 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial 4.0 International License mailto:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/