There can be various reasons why an adolescent with an unwanted pregnancy will resort to an unsafe abortion. Some of these reasons are shown in Box 3.1.
Education: fear of dropping out of school or interrupting her studies.
Economic factors: fear of not having the financial ability to support herself and her child.
Social condemnation: fear of what her parents or other people might think or say; a wish to avoid bringing shame and condemnation or blame on herself and her family.
Not having a stable relationship: this is more common in adolescents than in adults.
Circumstances of sexual intercourse: an abortion may also be sought where the pregnancy is a consequence of coerced sex, including rape and incest.