Women’s Social Independence and Pregnancy Termination in Bangladesh: Evidence of Associations and Inequalities from BDHS 2022

Abstract

Pregnancy termination—whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, or induced abortion—represents an important reproductive outcome, yet is often overlooked by researchers. This study investigated the determinants and distribution of pregnancy termination in Bangladesh utilizing the data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2022. A binary logistic regression model was employed to explore the association between pregnancy termination and women’s social independence along with other covariates, and concentration curve assessed socioeconomic inequalities in the distribution of pregnancy termination. The findings indicate that pregnancy termination was more frequently reported among the socially independent women (odds ratio, OR, of high vs low: 1.19, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.03−1.37; OR of average vs low: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.00−1.30). Marriage later than the perceived ideal marital age was associated with higher odds (OR of later vs right time: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.06−1.37) of pregnancy termination. This study underscores the need for policies that support reproductive autonomy, improve healthcare access, and reduce social stigma to ensure safer pregnancy outcomes.

Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 74(2): 235–242, 2026 (July)