Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the occurrence of induced abortion among childbearing women in central and western rural areas of China and to explore the correlations between induced abortion and reproductive tract infections(RTIs) and other influencing factors.MethodsMulti-stage stratified random sampling was used and 2 558 fertile women were sampled from 4 provinces of central and western China.The occurrence of induced abortion and reproductive tract infections were investigated.ResultsAmong the fertile women,the proportion of women with the history of induced abortion was 23.38%;living area,age,educational level,whether or not using emergent contraceptive method,current contraceptive method,and temporary sexual partner were significant predictors for the occurrence of induced abortion.There were 21.26% of the women reporting that they had at least one symptom of RTIs.The women with induced abortion history were more likely to suffer from RTIs(27.59%)than the women without induced abortion(19.34%).The results of logistic regression analyses showed that RTIs were related to the times of induced abortion and the women experienced more than two times of induced abortion had a higher risk of RTIs(odds ratio OR=1.67)than those experienced only one induced abortion(OR=1.65).ConclusionThe experience of induced abortion is a risk factor of RTIs and the women who underwent induced abortion or had more times of induced abortion have a higher prevalence rate of RTIs.