Determinants of Miscarriage and Induced Abortion Among Married Syrian Refugee Women in Türkiye: A National Population-Based Study

Abstract

Objective: Syrian refugee women face numerous obstacles that impact their reproductive health. The aim is to assess prevalence and predictors of miscarriage and induced abortion among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional analysis based on data from 1886 Syrian refugee women aged 15-49 who have a history of marriage, obtained from the 2018 Türkiye Demographic and Health Survey – Syrian Migrant Sample. Univariate Chi-square, independent t-test, and multivariate logistic regression were performed to determine predictors of abortion and miscarriage. Results: Among ever married Syrian refugee women, 27.3% (n = 514) experienced at least 1 miscarriage, 5% (n = 95) reported having at least 1 abortion. Mean maternal age was predicted with miscarriage and induced abortion (OR = 1.06 [CI: 1.04-1.08; P < 0.001] and OR = 1.08 [CI: 1.04-1.12; P < 0.001] respectively). Women in the southern/eastern region of Türkiye experienced 4.24 times (95% CI = 1.50-12.02; P < 0.01) more abortions than in the western/central region. Women who are related to their spouses had an abortion 1.91 times (95% CI = 1.06-3.43; P < 0.05) more frequently than non-related couples. Conclusions: The rate of miscarriages and induced abortions is high among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye. Regional differences, maternal age, and marriage between relatives have been identified as important variables that need to be taken into consideration. Interventions concentrating on those elements by the bodies concerned may thereby lessen the burden and effects of abortion and miscarriage.