Methodological Innovation on Studying Abortion: Developing an Alternative Quantitative Survey in India

Anju Malhotra, International Center for Research on Women
Laura Nyblade, International Center for Research on Women
Ravi K. Verma, Population Council

This paper documents the methodological innovation in developing a quantitative methodology at the household level that can adequately address complex issues related to abortion behavior. ICRW, Washington and IIPS, Mumbai are jointly engaged in conducting and analyzing a community based quantitative survey of approximately 2300 women of reproductive age in Madhya Pradesh, India. The study addresses major gaps in current data and knowledge concerning Indian women's use of abortion with regard to the practice of legal, illegal, safe, and unsafe abortions; the level of demand for abortion, and; determinants, including lack of contraceptive availability, household decision processes, and son preference. The research team has successfully developed a large scale survey design that can address these complex issues by incorporating narrative and multi-visit techniques from qualitative methodologies. The paper discusses the motivation behind this approach, its critical components, as well as the process, challenges and lessons learned in implementing it.