Citation

Mandal KT. J. Indian Med. Assoc. 1982; 79(5-6): 81-86.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1982, Indian Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7161505

Abstract

A study was conducted in India over the January 1976-December 1978 period to examine the problems, socioeconomic status, educational background, and motivation for resorting to premarital sex of 100 unmarried women, age range 12-30 years, who reported to 3 large government hospital clinics to undergo a legal abortion, a medical termination of pregnancy (MTP). The women were selected at random. According to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, abortion can be performed only up to the 20th week of pregnancy. 49 women came from urban areas, and 33 came from villages; women from the fringe rural areas constituted 18 cases. There were 9 in the 12-15 age group, whereas the number of male partners in that age group was 0. In the 16-19 age group, there were only 7 boy partners of the 25 girls. The maximum number in both cases came from within the 20-30 age group (90 males and 66 females). Only 9 women came from joint families; the remainder came from nuclear families. 17 of the women were illiterate; there were only 2 males in this group. 53 women came from the lower middle income group. The low income group made up 12% of the total and the higher income group constituted 7% of the total. 58% of the women indicated that they sought sexual intercourse of their own free will. 42% reported that they were either "lured into temptation" or subdued by force (2%). Of the 100 cases, 5% were of incestuous nature. Other types of relationships included close relatives (9%), distant relatives (2%), and private tutor (3%). The largest contributor was that of known friends (58%). 23% of the women submitted themselves to totally unknown persons for sexual intercourse. Nearly all the women left the matter of contraceptive use to their partners. 40% of the partners indicated a lack of concern and total apathy towards birth control. The women were prepared to forego protective measures and run the risk of pregnancy rather than forsake the pleasure of sexual relations. 85% of the women were pregnant for the 1st time. The time between 1st and 2nd pregnancy in the remaining 15% of the women varied from 2-6 months. It appears that the liberalization of abortion and the fairly satisfactory level of secrecy and safety that the hospital ensures have removed the natural fear that would have otherwise accompanied these unmarried women.

Language: en