Women who had more than one abortion tended to be over the age of 30, had a large family, and were low income. Most of them were also using contraceptives at the time.
The group analyzed a 2002 government survey showing that 48 percent of women undergoing the procedure said this was not their first time aborting a child. 46 million women have abortions each year worldwide. The highest numbers are in Romania, Cuba and Vietnam.
Rachel Jones, a senior research associate who helped lead the study, said, "This suggests that we need to do a better job helping all women better prevent unwanted pregnancies, so they can avoid having to decide whether to seek abortions or raise children they are not prepared for."
Chief executive officer for the Alan Guttmacher Institute Sharon Camp said the separation of federal government and family planning is leading to increased abortion rates.
She said, "These policies interfere with the ability of abortion providers to ensure continuity of care for their patients by guaranteeing that, following an abortion, every woman has an appropriate contraceptive method and is able to use it consistently."
