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Journal articles on the topic 'Abortion services'
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Alexander, Lily T., Evelyn Fuentes-Rivera, Biani Saavedra-Avendaño, Raffaela Schiavon, Noe Maldonado Rueda, Bernardo Hernández, Alison L. Drake, and Blair G. Darney. "Utilisation of second-trimester spontaneous and induced abortion services in public hospitals in Mexico, 2007–2015." BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health 45, no. 4 (August 14, 2019): 283–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2018-200300.
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BackgroundData on utilisation of in-facility second-trimester abortion services are sparse. We describe temporal and geographical trends in utilisation of in-facility second-trimester abortion services across Mexico.MethodsWe used 2007–2015 data from Mexico’s Automated Hospital Discharge System (SAEH) to identify second-trimester abortive events (ICD O02-O08) in public hospitals across Mexico’s 32 states. We described utilisation, calculated rates using population data, and used logistic regression to identify woman- and state-level factors (municipality-level marginalisation, state-level abortion law) associated with utilisation of second-trimester versus first-trimester services.ResultsWe identified 145 956 second-trimester abortions, or 13.4% of total documented hospitalizations for abortion between 2007 to 2015. The annual utilisation rate of second-trimester abortion remained constant, between 0.5 to 0.6 per 1000 women aged 15–44 years. Women living in highly marginalised municipalities had 1.43 higher odds of utilising abortions services in their second versus their first trimester, when compared with women in municipalities with low marginalisation (95% CI 1.18 to 1.73). Living in a state with a health or fetal anomaly exception to abortion restrictions was not associated with higher utilisation of second-trimester abortion services.ConclusionsOur results suggest there is a need for all types of second-trimester abortion services in Mexico. To improve health outcomes for Mexican women, especially the most vulnerable, access to safe second-trimester abortion services must be ensured through the implementation of current legal exceptions and renewed attention to the training of healthcare providers.
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Jacobson, Mireille, and Heather Royer. "Aftershocks: The Impact of Clinic Violence on Abortion Services." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics 3, no. 1 (January 1, 2011): 189–223. http://dx.doi.org/10.1257/app.3.1.189.
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Between 1973 and 2003, abortion providers in the United States were the targets of over 300 acts of extreme violence. Using unique data on attacks and on abortions, abortion providers, and births, we examine how anti-abortion violence has affected providers' decisions to perform abortions and women's decisions about whether and where to terminate a pregnancy. We find that clinic violence reduces abortion services in targeted areas. Once travel is taken into account, however, the overall effect of the violence is much smaller. (JEL I11, J13, K42)
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Thakur, Neelima, and Pragti Chhabra. "Trends in abortion services and sociodemographic profile of women those availed abortion services at Parivar Seva clinics in India." International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health 8, no. 5 (April 27, 2021): 2272. http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20211745.
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Background: Despite the law for termination of pregnancy, women continue to have illegal or unsafe abortions leading to incomplete abortions in India. The aim of the paper is to identify the trend of abortion services, clients treated for safe and incomplete abortion their client characteristics in the Parivar Seva Sanstha clinics. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the available data from 31 Parivar Seva clinics India. Retrospective study carried out in 31 clinics of the Parivar Seva Sanstha in 11 states. Data of women who were treated for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) and other abortion between the periods of January 2018 to December 2019 was obtained from the records for analysis. Proportion of MTP and other abortion for different categories was computed and Chi square test was applied to study the association.Results: More than forty thousand women availed abortion services from the clinics every year. The frequency of incomplete abortion increased from 34.7% to 38.1% from 2018 to 2019. Young women, women of Muslim religion, higher income group, who reached the clinics from long distance, with no parity and no previous history of abortion had more probability of availing services for incomplete abortion as compared to MTP. Majority of women were seeking MTP and incomplete abortion services in their first trimester only; about two thirds (61.4% and 66%) of these had surgical abortion in first trimester. Majority (86.1% and 87.5%) of women obtained MTP services up to 12 weeks of gestation.Conclusions: There is urgent need to create awareness and educate the women regarding safe abortion, access of family planning, legality of abortion, medication outside the health facilities.
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Tesfaye, Bekele, Mesenbet Tewabe, Aster Ferede, and Angela Dawson. "Induced Second Trimester Abortion and Associated Factors at Debre Markos Referral Hospital: Cross-Sectional Study." Women's Health 16 (January 2020): 174550652092954. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1745506520929546.
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Background: Although most induced abortions in Ethiopia are performed in the first trimester, many women will still require second trimester abortions. While access to abortion in Ethiopia is limited, few data are being available concerning the demand for and associated outcomes of second trimester abortions. This knowledge is important for planning the health service response to abortion. Objective: The main objective of this study was to determine the proportion and associated factors of second trimester abortion among women presenting for abortion care services at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Debre Markos, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Debre Markos Referral Hospital on a sample of 262 calculated using the single population proportion formula. Women who sought abortion services were interviewed consecutively from 12 February 2017 to 14 March 2017. Data were collected in a face-to-face exit interview and document review and analyzed using SPSS version 24.0 software. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were undertaken to identify factors. Result: Of the women who presented for abortion care services in Debre Markos Referral Hospital, 73 (29.6%) had induced second trimester abortion. Unmarried women (adjusted odds ratio = 4.93, 95% confidence interval = 1.41–17.16) and women employed at private business (adjusted odds ratio = 6.17, 95% confidence interval = 1.16–32.76) were associated with induced second trimester abortion. Conclusion: This study revealed that almost one-third of women who presented for abortion care services at Debre Markos Referral Hospital had induced second trimester abortions. Raising awareness of the health consequence of second trimester abortion at community levels and counseling to avoid further occurrences are helpful to minimize the problem. Furthermore, early management of induced second trimester abortion is very crucial to prevent further complications.
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Baig, Marina, Sadia Abbas Ali, Kiran Mubeen, and Arusa Lakhani. "Induced abortions in Pakistan: an afflicting challenge needing addressal." British Journal of Midwifery 29, no. 2 (February 2, 2021): 94–98. http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2021.29.2.94.
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Unintended pregnancies due to low prevalence of contraceptive use in Pakistan leads to a huge burden of induced abortions. These abortions are a major cause of concern, as a majority of these abortions are performed in an unhygienic environment by untrained providers, leading to maternal morbidities and mortalities. Some of the contributing factors of unsafe abortions are lack of availability of quality services, financial barriers, stigma associated with abortion and lack of awareness about abortion law. Therefore, there is an urgent need to invest on family planning and post-abortion care services through health system strengthening approach. The proposed comprehensive strategy for actions at the individual, facility, community and policy levels can address the issue of unsafe abortion in the country.
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Adde, Kenneth Setorwu, Eugene Kofuor Maafo Darteh, and Akwasi Kumi-Kyereme. "Experiences of women seeking post-abortion care services in a Regional Hospital in Ghana." PLOS ONE 16, no. 4 (April 20, 2021): e0248478. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248478.
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Introduction Abortions remain one of the highest contributors to maternal deaths in Ghana. In 2003, a policy on post-abortion care was introduced to help reduce abortion-related mortality and morbidity. However, depending on the method of pregnancy termination; women encounter varying experiences. This study examines the experiences of women seeking post-abortion care services in a Regional Hospital in Ghana. Materials and methods In-depth interview technique was used to collect data from 20 purposively selected post-abortion care clients at the Volta Regional Hospital. Data were analysed manually using a qualitative content analysis technique. Results The study found that medical abortion was the main method of pregnancy termination used by women who participated in the study to induce abortion. Spontaneous abortion, however, was attributed mainly to engaging in activities that required the use of excessive energy and travelling on bad roads by pregnant women. The study also revealed that, women do not seek early post-abortion care services due to stigma and poverty. Conclusions We found that severity of pain from complications, stigma and financial constraints were factors that influenced women’s decision to seek post-abortion care services. Our findings also suggest that women who experienced spontaneous abortion mainly received financial and emotional support from partners and other family members. To encourage women to seek early post-abortion care services, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service should take pragmatic steps to educate women on the dangers associated with delay in seeking post-abortion care services and the factors that expose women to spontaneous abortions.
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Wang, Xin, Mengcong Deng, Yujia Zhu, Shangchun Wu, Qunxia Mao, and Hongwei Wang. "Effectiveness of post-abortion care services to protect women’s fertility in China: A systematic review with meta-analysis." PLOS ONE 19, no. 6 (June 10, 2024): e0304221. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304221.
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Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of post-abortion care services in Chinese women who have undergone induced abortion. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in five databases from January 2011 to June 2023 (PROSPERO registration CRD42023440458). Estimates of intervention effects were represented as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to evaluate the strength of recommendations. Results The meta-analysis of 42 randomized controlled studies involving 70,126 participants indicated that post-abortion care services could significantly increase rate of effective contraceptive use (RR = 2.33, 95%CI = 1.80–3.00, 10 studies, GRADE (Medium)), reduce repeat abortion rate (RR = 0.26, 95%CI = 0.20–0.36, 19 studies, GRADE (High)), increase follow-up visit rate (RR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.06–1.75, 5 studies, GRADE (Very low)) in one year after abortions, and improve patient satisfaction rate (RR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.03–1.83, 9 studies, GRADE (High)). Conclusion Post-abortion care services could help increase the rate of continuation of post-abortion effective contraceptives, prevent repeat abortions, and promote female fertility. Exploring strategies for better provision of post-abortion services requires more high-quality research.
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Polis, Chelsea B., Philicia W. Castillo, Easmon Otupiri, Sarah C. Keogh, Rubina Hussain, Emmanuel K. Nakua, Roderick Larsen-Reindorf, and Suzanne O. Bell. "Estimating the incidence of abortion: using the Abortion Incidence Complications Methodology in Ghana, 2017." BMJ Global Health 5, no. 4 (April 2020): e002130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002130.
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IntroductionInduced abortion is legally permitted in Ghana under specific conditions, but access to services that meet guidelines approved by government is limited. As part of a larger project comparing five methodologies to estimate abortion incidence, we implemented an indirect estimation approach: the Abortion Incidence Complications Methodology (AICM), to understand the incidence of abortion in Ghana in 2017.MethodsWe drew a nationally representative, two-stage, stratified sample of health facilities. We used information from 539 responding facilities to estimate treated complications stemming from illegal induced abortions, and to estimate the number of legal abortions provided. We used information from 146 knowledgeable informants to generate zonal multipliers representing the inverse of the proportion of illegal induced abortions treated for complications in facilities in Ghana’s three ecological zones. We applied multipliers to estimates of treated complications from illegal abortions, and added legal abortions to obtain an annual estimate of all induced abortions.ResultsThe AICM approach suggests that approximately 200 000 abortions occurred in Ghana in 2017, corresponding to a national abortion rate of 26.8 (95% CI 21.7 to 31.9) per 1000 women 15–49. Abortion rates were lowest in the Northern zone (18.6) and highest in the Middle zone (30.4). Of all abortions, 71% were illegal.ConclusionDespite Ghana’s relatively liberal abortion law and efforts to expand access to safe abortion services, illegal induced abortion appears common. A concurrently published paper compares the AICM-derived estimates presented in this paper to those from other methodological approaches.
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Snook, Simon, and Martha Silva. "Abortion services in a high-needs district: a community-based model of care." Journal of Primary Health Care 5, no. 2 (2013): 151. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/hc13151.
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INTRODUCTION: In 2009, a high-deprivation district health board in New Zealand set up a community-based abortion clinic in order to provide a local service and to avoid out-of-region referrals. The service offers medical abortions for women with pregnancies of up to 63 days gestation, and surgical abortion with local anaesthetic for women with pregnancies of up to 14 weeks gestation. AIM: To describe the services developed and assess safety and timeliness for the first year of community-based services. METHODS: An audit of clinical records for patients seen in 2010 was performed in order to obtain data on location of services, timeliness, safety and complications. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of locally provided abortions in 2010 were medical abortions, completed on average less than two days after referral to the service. One percent of patients experienced haemorrhaging post abortion, and 4% had retained products. These rates are within accepted standards for an abortion service. DISCUSSION: This report illustrates that a community-based model of care can be both clinically and culturally safe, while providing a much-needed service to a high-needs population. KEYWORDS: Abortion, induced; community health services; delivery of health care; New Zealand
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A, Sarker, Tamanna SJB, Akhter H, Akther T, and Parveen M. "Characteristics and Outcomes of Abortion Cases at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh." Scholars International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 6, no. 12 (December 20, 2023): 504–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.36348/sijog.2023.v06i12.007.
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Introduction: Abortion is a critical public health issue, particularly in developing countries like Bangladesh, where access to safe abortion services is often limited. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics and outcomes of abortion cases in a tertiary-level hospital setting, providing insights into the demographic profile of patients, nature and type of abortions, treatment methods, and post-abortion complications. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uttara Adhunik Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from June 2022 to July 2023. A total of 100 patients were consecutively sampled based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected through patient medical records and interviews, focusing on demographic information, details of the abortion, and subsequent outcomes. Result: The majority of patients were in the 26-30 age group (42%), with 58% being primigravida. Most abortions occurred in the early stages of pregnancy (<13 weeks, 75%). Incomplete abortions were the most common type (83%), and the majority of cases were spontaneous (84%). Surgical intervention (D&C) was the predominant treatment method (83%). While most patients (84%) did not experience complications, a minority faced significant health challenges, including shock (5%) and septicemia (3%). Conclusion: The study highlights a high incidence of incomplete abortions and a preference for surgical treatment in abortion cases at the tertiary hospital level in Bangladesh. These findings underscore the need for improved abortion care, enhanced patient education, and better access to comprehensive abortion services. The study's insights are crucial for informing policy and practice to improve reproductive health services and address the challenges of unsafe abortion practices in Bangladesh.
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Ferrari, Amerigo, Luca Pirrotta, Manila Bonciani, Giulia Venturi, and Milena Vainieri. "Higher readability of institutional websites drives the correct fruition of the abortion pathway: A cross-sectional study." PLOS ONE 17, no. 11 (November 4, 2022): e0277342. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277342.
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Background In Italy, abortion services are public: therefore, health Institutions should provide clear and easily readable web-based information. We aimed to 1) assess variation in abortion services utilisation; 2) analyse the readability of institutional websites informing on induced abortion; 3) explore whether easier-to-read institutional websites influenced the correct fruition of abortion services. Methods We identified from the 2021 administrative databases of Tuscany all women having an abortion, and–among them–women having an abortion with the certification provided by family counselling centres, following the pathway established by law. We assessed variation in total and certified abortion rates by computing the Systematic Component of Variation. We analysed the readability of the Tuscan health authorities’ websites using the readability assessment tool READ-IT. We explored how institutional website readability influenced the odds of having certified abortions by running multilevel logistic models, considering health authorities as the highest-level variables. Results We observed high variation in the correct utilization of the abortion pathway in terms of certified abortion rates. The READ-IT scores showed that the most readable text was from the Florence Teaching Hospital website. Multilevel models revealed that higher READ-IT scores, corresponding to more difficult texts, resulted in lower odds of certified abortions. Conclusions Large variation in the proper fruition of abortion pathways occurs in Tuscany, and such variation may depend on readability of institutional websites informing on induced abortion. Therefore, health Institutions should monitor and improve the readability of their websites to ensure proper and more equitable access to abortion.
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Väisänen, Heini. "EDUCATIONAL INEQUALITIES IN REPEAT ABORTION: A LONGITUDINAL REGISTER STUDY IN FINLAND 1975–2010." Journal of Biosocial Science 48, no. 6 (April 29, 2016): 820–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s002193201600016x.
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SummaryThe proportion of repeat abortions among all abortions has increased over the last decades in Finland. This study examined the association of education with the likelihood of repeat abortion, and the change in this association over time using reliable longitudinal data. A unique set of register data from three birth cohorts were followed from age 20 to 45, including about 22,000 cases of repeat abortion, and analysed using discrete-time event-history models. Low education was found to be associated with a higher likelihood of repeat abortion. Women with low education had abortions sooner after the preceding abortion, and were more often single, younger and had larger families at the time of abortion than more highly educated women. The educational differences were more significant for later than earlier cohorts. The results show a lack of appropriate contraceptive use, possibly due to lack of knowledge of, or access to, services. There is a need to improve access to family planning services, and contraceptives should be provided free of charge. Register data overcome the common problems of under-reporting of abortion and attrition ensuring the results are reliable, unique and of interest internationally.
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Mulat, Amlaku, Hinsermu Bayu, Habtamu Mellie, and Amare Alemu. "Induced Second Trimester Abortion and Associated Factors in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals." BioMed Research International 2015 (2015): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/256534.
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Background. Although the vast majority of abortions are performed in the first trimester, still 10–15% of terminations of pregnancies have taken place in the second trimester period globally. As compared to first trimester, second trimester abortions are disproportionately contribute for maternal morbidity and mortality especially in low-resource countries where access to safe second trimester abortion is limited. The main aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of induced second trimester abortion in Amhara region referral hospitals, northwest Ethiopia.Methods. Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in Amhara region referral hospitals among 416 women who sought abortion services. Participants were selected using systematic sampling technique. Data were collected using pretested structured questionnaire through interviewing. After the data were entered and analyzed; variables which havePvalue < 0.2 in bivariate analysis, not colinear, were entered into multiple logistic regressions to see the net effect with 95% CI andPvalue < 0.05.Results. The prevalence of induced second trimester abortion was 19.2%. Being rural (AOR = 1.86 [95% CI = 1.11–3.14]), having irregular menstrual cycle (AOR = 1.76 [95% CI = 1.03–2.98]), not recognizing their pregnancy at early time (AOR = 2.05 [95% CI = 1.21–3.48]), and having logistics related problems (AOR = 2.37 [95% CI = 1.02–5.53]) were found to have statistically significant association with induced second trimester abortion.Conclusion. Induced second trimester abortion is high despite the availability of first trimester abortion services. Therefore, increase accessibility and availability of safe second trimester abortion services below referral level, counseling and logistical support are helpful to minimize late abortions.
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Sierra, Gracia, Nancy F. Berglas, Lisa G. Hofler, Daniel Grossman, Sarah C. M. Roberts, and Kari White. "Out-of-State Travel for Abortion among Texas Residents following an Executive Order Suspending In-State Services during the Coronavirus Pandemic." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 4 (February 19, 2023): 3679. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043679.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, existing and new abortion restrictions constrained people’s access to abortion care. We assessed Texas abortion patients’ out-of-state travel patterns before and during implementation of a state executive order that prohibited most abortions for 30 days in 2020. We received data on Texans who obtained abortions between February and May 2020 at 25 facilities in six nearby states. We estimated weekly trends in the number of out-of-state abortions related to the order using segmented regression models. We compared the distribution of out-of-state abortions by county-level economic deprivation and distance traveled. The number of Texas out-of-state abortions increased 14% the week after (versus before) the order was implemented (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.14; 95% CI: 0.49, 2.63), and increased weekly while the order remained in effect (IRR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.23, 2.18). Residents of the most economically disadvantaged counties accounted for 52% and 12% of out-of-state abortions before and during the order, respectively (p < 0.001). Before the order, 38% of Texans traveled ≥250 miles one way, whereas during the order 81% traveled ≥250 miles (p < 0.001). Texans’ long-distance travel for out-of-state abortion care and the socioeconomic composition of those less likely to travel reflect potential burdens imposed by future abortion bans.
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Stein, T. B., and A. Vasan. "Public Health’s Role in a Post-Dobbs World—The New York City Abortion Access Hub." Obstetric Anesthesia Digest 44, no. 1 (February 22, 2024): 10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.aoa.0001005292.74993.be.
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(N Engl J Med. 388;21. doi: 10.1056/NEJMp2301278) The US court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization removed the constitutional right to abortion. Currently, 13 states ban abortion with few exceptions, while other states have enacted certain restrictions around abortion. This, coupled with new legislation frequently being introduced that further restricts access to abortions, has made it very difficult for people searching for abortion information or services.
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Rozina Shahadat Khan. "EDUCATIONAL TRAINING OF LADY HEALTH WORKERS AND PREVENTION OF ABORTION RELATED MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY." Pakistan Postgraduate Medical Journal 34, no. 01 (March 6, 2023): 01–02. http://dx.doi.org/10.51642/ppmj.v34i01.580.
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One of the major challenges faced by developing world for achieving universal health care includes shortage of Manpower indicated by the fact that an estimated one billion people will never see a health worker during the course of their lives. As a consequence to this shortage millions of people die or are disabled each year1. One solution to this dilemma was increasing health workforce by induction of community health workers (CHWs), members of the community who are trained to provide basic health services. They offer the first and at times only admittance to health services for people in the developing world2. But, research has shown that, CHWs are not effectively trained, remunerated, or retained. In Pakistan Lady Health Worker Program started with the overall goal to contribute to poverty reduction by improving the health of the people. So Lady Health Workers (LHWs) were recruited and trained to provide family planning services and primary health care (PHC) in their own communities3. The health services, based on PHC, include among other things: education concerning prevailing health problems and the methods of preventing and controlling them, and provision of essential drugs and supplies. One of the major current problems is Abortion. Worldwide 61% (Six out of 10) of all unintended pregnancies, and 29 % (3 out of 10) of all pregnancies, end in induced abortion. And out of all abortions around 45% are unsafe, of which 97% occurring in developing countries4. An estimated Over two million abortions are performed annually in Pakistan5. Involved health risks depend on whether the procedure is performed safely or unsafely. Unsafe abortion is common in rural areas, where plant species are used to terminate an unwanted pregnancy6 and restricted abortion law countries ,where most attempt to self-abort or go to untrained person7. fIn Pakistan, mostly abortions are due to unwanted pregnancy, poverty, lack of awareness about Reproductive Health and Family planning methods on part of both husband and wife. Abortion related care includes emergency treatment of abortion, post-abortion family planning services including counseling and making links between the post-abortion emergency services and the reproductive healthcare system. A Lady Health worker informs and counsels any pregnant adolescent about the possible consequences (medical and psychological) of unsafe abortion. In case of any of any of such complication’s immediate referral to a higher health facility (often a hospital) is needed where she can get sufficient care. Delay in seeking care specially demands improved reproductive health information about abortion care. Improving current PAC services at lower level facilities will also minimize delays resulting from long referral processes8. Improving knowledge through trainings of the health workers about prevention of abortion and risk factors will bridge the gap between the current and ideally required level of knowledge for delivering preventive abortion related health care services. Theses trained health workers can utilize this knowledge for increasing awareness among reproductive age group females especially of rural community. And eventually abortion related morbidity and mortality can be significantly reduced which will contribute for attainment of the Sustainable MDG related to decreasing maternal morbidity and mortality.
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Atmadja, Sardjana. "“Halal” Abortion in Perspective Common Law system,Civil Law System and Ius Constituendum : Towards Legality and Safety." Avicenna Medical Journal 1, no. 2 (November 10, 2020): 17–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.15408/avicenna.v1i2.17657.
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Background: To safe services in hygienic conditions must be made widely available and affordable, so that the stigma associated with providing and obtaining abortions can lessen and safe services can become normal and accepted, abortion is broadly legal, widely available and safe in Indonesia.Objective: The purpose of this article to discuss ius constituendum on abortion in Indonesia from criminal law perspective between Common Law System and Civil Law System.In Indonesia Ius Contituendum on abortion is not directed to legalization of abortion as carried out both in Netherland and USA but tends to be harmonized with therapeutic abortion concept both medical and psychiatric fields.Material and Method: Systematic review of studies evaluating the prevalence of unsafe abortion in Indonesia.Results: The public health tragedy caused by unsafe abortion is all the more so because it is largely preventable, by improving the quality and availability of post abortion care, by making abortion legal and increasing access to safe services, and—because almost every abortion is preceded by an unintended pregnancy—by expanding access to contraceptive information and services. Restrictive laws have much less impact on stopping women from ending an unwanted pregnancy than on forcing those who are determined to do so to seek out clandestine means. Ironically, the abortion laws governing of Indonesia is holdovers from the colonial era.Conclutions: “Halal” abortion is making a significant contribution toward reducing the need for abortion altogether and the likelihood of unsafe abortion by bringing down the rates of unintended pregnancy. This is also helping to reduce complications of unsafe abortion through its support for programs to increase access to and improve post abortion care. This includes not only treatment for septic or incomplete abortion, but also essential post abortion.Keywords: “Halal” abortion, the public health tragedy, unintended pregnancy Common law system,Civil law system and Ius Constituendum.
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Zavier, A. J. Francis, K. G. Santhya, and Shireen J. Jejeebhoy. "Abortion among married young women: findings from a community-based study in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, India." Journal of Biosocial Science 52, no. 5 (November 14, 2019): 650–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0021932019000701.
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AbstractAbortion service provision has changed noticeably in the recent past and medication abortion currently accounts for four-fifths of all induced abortions taking place in India. How these changes have modified abortion experiences among young women – a group known to be more disadvantaged than adult women – remains unanswered. This paper fills this gap and examines the experiences of married young abortion seekers, including pre-abortion decision-making, abortion seeking and experiences of the procedure, and post-abortion complications. Data were drawn from a community-based survey of 4952 married young women aged 15–24 years conducted in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in 2015. The study focused on 166 young women who had an induced abortion in the two years before the survey, and used descriptive statistics to describe their abortion experiences. Seventy-four per cent of abortion seekers had relied on medication abortion and 47% had obtained it over the counter without a physician’s prescription. Moreover, 90% accessed abortion services from private facilities, including drug sellers. A small proportion (4%) had undergone abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy. At the same time, 13% reported multiple abortion attempts; 17% underwent dilation and curettage; and 52% experienced self-reported complications, including 5% who experienced moderate to severe complications. The findings call for greater attention to providing contraceptive counselling and services to married young women, ensuring abortion services in public health facilities and exploring mechanisms to improve drug sellers’ knowledge and practices in providing medication abortion.
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Biggs, M. Antonia, Lidia Casas, Alejandra Ramm, C. Finley Baba, Sara Victoria Correa, and Daniel Grossman. "Future health providers’ willingness to provide abortion services following decriminalisation of abortion in Chile: a cross-sectional survey." BMJ Open 9, no. 10 (October 2019): e030797. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030797.
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ObjectiveTo assess Chilean medical and midwifery students’ attitudes and willingness to become trained to provide abortion care, shortly after abortion was decriminalised in 2017.DesignWe fielded a cross-sectional, web-based survey of medical and midwifery students. We used generalised estimating equations to assess differences by type of university and degree sought.SettingWe recruited students from a combination of seven secular, religiously-affiliated, public and private universities that offer midwifery or medical degrees with a specialisation in obstetrics and gynaecology, located in Santiago, Chile.ParticipantsStudents seeking medical or midwifery degrees at one of seven universities were eligible to participate. We distributed the survey link to medical and midwifery students at these seven universities; 459 eligible students opened the survey link and 377 students completed the survey.Primary and secondary outcomesIntentions to become trained to provide abortion services was our primary outcome of interest. Secondary outcomes included moral views and concerns about abortion provision.ResultsMost students intend to become trained to provide abortion services (69%), 20% reported that they will not provide an abortion under any circumstance, half (50%) had one or more concern about abortion provision and 16% agreed/strongly agreed that providing abortions is morally wrong. Most believed that their university should train medical and midwifery students to provide abortion services (70%–79%). Secular university students reported higher intentions to provide abortion services (beta 0.47, 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.63), more favourable views (beta 0.52, CI: 0.32 to 0.72) and were less likley to report concerns about abortion provision (adjusted OR 0.47, CI: 0.23 to 0.95) than students from religious universities.ConclusionMedical and midwifery students are interested in becoming trained to provide abortion services and believe their university should provide this training. Integrating high-quality training in abortion care into medical and midwifery programmes will be critical to ensuring that women receive timely, non-judgemental and quality abortion care.
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Shrestha, Shanti, Ganesh Dangal, and Sadikshya Ghimire. "PROFILE OF WOMEN RECEIVING FIRST-TRIMESTER SAFE ABORTION SERVICE AT PAROPAKAR MATERNITY AND WOMEN’S HOSPITAL." Journal of Chitwan Medical College 11, no. 1 (March 25, 2021): 108–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.54530/jcmc.401.
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Background: Abortion is a common medical procedure done in a day to day basis in every country and is a major component of public health. Legally and safely performed abortions are amongst the least complicated medical procedures. There exists a demographic variation in availability, accessibility and affordability of safe abortion services in Nepal also. The aim of the study was to assess the demographic and clinical profile of women opting for first-trimester abortion. This study highlights the indications and rate of the method used for abortion. Methods: It was a retrospective study where data were collected from charts available at the comprehensive abortion care center at the Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital. The data from Baisakh to Asoj of 2076 B.S was collected and calculations were done manually. Results: Higher proportion of women receiving first-trimester abortion fell under the age of 26-30 years (30.17%). Most women were literate (86.03%) and married (85.71%). A history of previous abortion was absent in majority (72.39%) and 14.28% had never been pregnant before. The most common indication for abortion was non-use of family planning services (43.82%). The rate of medical abortion was higher (58.10%) than surgical method of abortion (41.89%). Conclusions: Women’s age, literacy, contraceptive use, previous pregnancy status were the determinants of unintended pregnancy. There existed both demographic and clinical variations in between women receiving abortion services.
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Reiger, Sarah T., Phyllis Dako-Gyeke, Thoai D. Ngo, Gillian Eva, Leonard Gobah, Kelly Blanchard, and Kate Grindlay. "Abortion knowledge and experiences among young women and men in Accra, Ghana." Gates Open Research 3 (May 30, 2019): 1478. http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/gatesopenres.12961.1.
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Background: Despite the presence of legal abortion services in Ghana, unsafe abortion remains common, particularly among young women. Little is understood about what young people know about safe and legal abortion, and if and how they are utilizing it. Methods: To characterize abortion use and address gaps in safe access, from September-December 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with 100 men and 250 women aged 18-24 in Accra, Ghana. Participants were asked about abortion experiences, including prior services, providers, methods, satisfaction, perceived support, and knowledge of laws. Descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact tests, and chi-square tests were performed. Results: Among surveyed youth, most (87% of women, 64% of men) thought abortion was illegal or did not know the law. In total, 30% of women and 14% of men ever had an abortion and partner who had an abortion, respectively. Among women’s most recent abortions, medication abortion (61%), surgical methods (26%), and unsafe methods categorized “least safe” (14%) were the initial or only methods used. Most women who accessed medication abortion initially or as their only method saw a pharmacist (40%) or no one (33%). Nearly one-quarter of women (n=16, 24%) who initially took tablets used more than one method. Conclusions: Despite experiences with abortion, most young people in this study were unaware of its legality and unsafe abortions occurred. More needs to be done to ensure young people understand the law and have access to safe methods, and that pharmacists are trained to provide appropriate doses and formulations of medication abortion.
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Reiger, Sarah T., Phyllis Dako-Gyeke, Thoai D. Ngo, Gillian Eva, Leonard Gobah, Kelly Blanchard, Sruthi Chandrasekaran, and Kate Grindlay. "Abortion knowledge and experiences among young women and men in Accra, Ghana." Gates Open Research 3 (September 7, 2020): 1478. http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/gatesopenres.12961.2.
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Background: Despite the presence of legal abortion services in Ghana, unsafe abortion remains common, particularly among young women. Little is understood about what young people know about safe and legal abortion, and if and how they are utilizing it. Methods: To characterize abortion use and address gaps in safe access, from September-December 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with 100 men and 250 women aged 18-24 in Accra, Ghana. Participants were asked about abortion experiences, including prior services, providers, methods, satisfaction, perceived support, and knowledge of laws. Descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact tests, and chi-square tests were performed. Results: Among surveyed youth, most (87% of women, 64% of men) thought abortion was illegal or did not know the law. In total, 30% of women and 14% of men ever had an abortion and partner who had an abortion, respectively. Among women’s most recent abortions, medication abortion (61%), surgical methods (26%), and unsafe methods categorized “least safe” (14%) were the initial or only methods used. Most women who accessed medication abortion initially or as their only method saw a pharmacist (40%) or no one (33%). Nearly one-quarter of women (n=16, 24%) who initially took tablets used more than one method. Conclusions: Despite experiences with abortion, most young people in this study were unaware of its legality and unsafe abortions occurred. More needs to be done to ensure young people understand the law and have access to safe methods, and that pharmacists are trained to provide appropriate doses and formulations of medication abortion.
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Olaide, Gbadamosi, Gbadamosi Olaide, and Titilayo O. Aderibigbe. "Justification of Women’s Right of Access to Safe and Legal Abortion in Nigeria." African Journal of Legal Studies 7, no. 2 (July 30, 2014): 177–202. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/17087384-12342025.
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Abortion remains one of the most controversial, emotional and burning political issues of our time. Unsafe abortion is a serious public health problem and human rights issue. The pervasive criminalization of abortion in Nigeria is a serious obstacle to improving access to safe and legal abortion. Women’s lack of access to safe legal abortion is a major cause of high rates of maternal mortality. The Nigerian government’s failure to fulfill its human rights obligations under national, regional and international law is largely responsible for this situation. Overcoming these considerable barriers requires governments to sustain a firm commitment to women’s human rights and to ensure access to safe and legal abortion services. Women’s restrictive legal access to safe abortion services violates their human rights and is perhaps one of the pervasive manifestations of unjustified discrimination against women. This article attempts a justification of women’s right of access to safe and legal abortions within national, regional and international laws to which Nigeria is a signatory. Criminalization of abortion leads women to obtain unsafe abortions which threaten their lives and health. The denial of free access to abortion service is a denial of their fundamental human right. Using an analysis of legislations and case laws, we posit that advancing access to safe abortion by the Nigerian government is a necessary requirement to save women’s lives, protect their rights to health, equality and human dignity as specified under the Constitution.
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Desai, Sheila, Mary Huynh, and Heidi E. Jones. "Differences in Abortion Rates between Asian Populations by Country of Origin and Nativity Status in New York City, 2011–2015." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 12 (June 8, 2021): 6182. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126182.
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Despite the size of the Asian population in New York City (NYC) and the city’s robust abortion surveillance system, abortion-related estimates for this population have not been calculated previously. This study examined the use of abortion services among specific Asian groups in NYC from 2011–2015. Using NYC surveillance data, we estimated abortion rates for Asians, disaggregated by five country of origin groups and nativity status, and for other major racial/ethnic groups. We compared rates between groups and over time. From 2014–2015, the abortion rate for Asian women in NYC was 12.6 abortions per 1000 women aged 15–44 years, lower than the rates for other major racial/ethnic groups. Among country of origin groups, Indian women had the highest rate (30.5 abortions per 1000 women), followed by Japanese women (17.0), Vietnamese women (13.0), Chinese women (8.8), and Korean women (5.1). Rates were higher for U.S.-born Asian groups compared to foreign-born groups, although the differential varied by country of origin. The abortion rate declined or remained steady for nearly all Asian groups from 2011–2015. These findings reinforce the importance of disaggregating data on this population at multiple levels and begin to provide much-needed evidence on the use of abortion services among Asian groups.
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Mallaiyan, Sharadha. "Unsafe abortion: the silent scourge." International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology 8, no. 8 (July 26, 2019): 3362. http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20193566.
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Background: Unsafe abortions continue to cause maternal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The practice of unsafe abortions by quacks needs to be checked. Our study aims to emphasize upon the unmet needs of medical termination pregnancies (MTP) services in rural India and to recognize the complications due to it and the efficient management of such cases at tertiary care center.Methods: A two years retrospective study of septic abortions from December 2009 to November 2011.Results: Among 1080 abortions reported, 44 were septic-4.07%. More commonly in the age group of >20years (81.9%). 77.3% of them were multiparous and 22.7% were nulligravidae, with an increased incidence of unmarried nulliparous pregnancies. Greater numbers occurred during 1st trimester (77.2% versus 22.7%), with 54.5%-grade I, 29.5%-grade II, 15.9% grade III in severity. Majority of cases were due to evacuation by quacks (72.7%). Among the 44 cases, emergency laparotomy was done for 5 cases of grade III severity. The mortality rates due to septic abortion were 6.25% (3) among the total of 48 maternal deaths.Conclusions: Septic abortion is totally preventable. Majority of uneducated rural women are not aware of MTP services. The reproductive and child health (RCH) services should effectively reach the underprivileged population like slum dwellers and migrants.
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Ramsayer, Beate, and Valerie Fleming. "Conscience and conscientious objection: The midwife’s role in abortion services." Nursing Ethics 27, no. 8 (July 6, 2020): 1645–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0969733020928416.
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Traditionally, the role of midwives has been to be with women throughout the pregnancy continuum, from conception until the end of the postnatal period. Midwives, however, have been named as key providers of abortion services. While freedom of conscience is legally protected within Europe, discrepancies exist between midwifery and conscientious objection to abortion-related services. Midwives are largely ignored within the academic discussion despite the care and support they give to women undergoing abortions. Those discrepancies led to the aim of this article to address this issue by discussing some of the key ethical and legal concepts that are relevant to midwives’ role in the provision of abortion services. This article shows that the decision to provide or object to abortion services remains ethically very complex because arguments exist both for and against its provision. Being with women can be interpreted differently and individual situations of care are multifaceted. Conscientious objection to abortion services is a highly contentious issue that has an overall importance to midwives. Noting that decisions are individual, may change or may be situationally dependant; a definitive position of midwives for or against conscientious objection cannot be assumed. Respecting conscience and acknowledging that there are various arguments for and against conscientious objection promotes widespread understanding. It accommodates both the opportunity for midwives to object on conscience grounds to the provision of abortion services and respect women’s autonomy so that mutual agreement may be reached on issues that may have far reaching consequences.
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Guiahi, Maryam, Sahnah Lim, Corey Westover, Marji Gold, and Carolyn L. Westhoff. "Enablers of and Barriers to Abortion Training." Journal of Graduate Medical Education 5, no. 2 (June 1, 2013): 238–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.4300/jgme-d-12-00067.1.
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Abstract Background Since the legalization of abortion services in the United States, provision of abortions has remained a controversial issue of high political interest. Routine abortion training is not offered at all obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn) training programs, despite a specific training requirement by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Previous studies that described Ob-Gyn programs with routine abortion training either examined associations by using national surveys of program directors or described the experience of a single program. Objective We set out to identify enablers of and barriers to Ob-Gyn abortion training in the context of a New York City political initiative, in order to better understand how to improve abortion training at other sites. Methods We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 22 stakeholders from 7 New York City public hospitals and focus group interviews with 62 current residents at 6 sites. Results Enablers of abortion training included program location, high-capacity services, faculty commitment to abortion training, external programmatic support, and resident interest. Barriers to abortion training included lack of leadership continuity, leadership conflict, lack of second-trimester abortion services, difficulty obtaining mifepristone, optional rather than routine training, and antiabortion values of hospital personnel. Conclusions Supportive leadership, faculty commitment, and external programmatic support appear to be key elements for establishing routine abortion training at Ob-Gyn residency training programs.
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BANKOLE, AKINRINOLA, GILDA SEDGH, BONIFACE A. OYE-ADENIRAN, ISAAC F. ADEWOLE, RUBINA HUSSAIN, and SUSHEELA SINGH. "ABORTION-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG NIGERIAN WOMEN." Journal of Biosocial Science 40, no. 2 (March 2008): 247–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0021932007002283.
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SummaryThis study used data from a community-based survey to examine women’s experiences of abortion in Nigeria. Fourteen per cent of respondents reported that they had ever tried to terminate a pregnancy, and 10% had obtained an abortion. The majority of women who sought an abortion did so early in the pregnancy. Forty-two per cent of women who obtained an abortion used the services of a non-professional provider, a quarter experienced complications and 9% sought treatment for complications from their abortions. Roughly half of the women who obtained an abortion used a method other than D&C or MVA. The abortion prevalence and conditions under which women sought abortions varied by women’s socio-demographic characteristics. Because abortion is illegal in Nigeria except to save the woman’s life, many women take significant risks to terminate unwanted pregnancies. Reducing the incidence of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion can significantly impact the reproductive health of women in Nigeria.
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Matshalanga, N., and M. Mehlo. "Safe abortion policy provisions in the SADC region: Country responses, key barriers, main recommendations." Southern African Journal of Public Health 5, no. 3 (September 12, 2022): 68–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/shs.2022.v5.i3.133.
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Background. Abortion is the termination of an already established pregnancy. The abortion may be induced, voluntarily performed or spontaneous, but when it is done by persons lacking the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards, it is considered unsafe. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has a robust policy framework for combating unsafe abortion.Objectives. To examine the relationship between abortion laws and access to safe abortion services in the SADC region as an important and necessary yardstick for measuring the progress of a nation in securing reproductive and sexual health. To analyse the relationship between laws governing abortion, abortion and post-abortion national guidance, and access to safe abortion services by adolescent girls and young women.Methods. A desk review of all legal, policy and national guidelines for all 16 SADC member states was done. Secondary data were collected, and the knowledge, attitudes and practices reflected on abortion surveys were examined in 15 out of 16 of the member states in both rural and urban settings. Sixty-three focus group discussions were held across 15 out of 16 countries, and 127 key informant interviews were held with non-governmental organisations, government ministries and relevant departments in the 15 countries.Results. Countries with restrictive abortion laws are more likely to have a relatively high proportion of unsafe abortions. The results indicated a proportion of unsafe abortions ranging from 43% to 79% for those countries where the legal framework does not lend itself to ease of access. Liberal abortion laws and guidelines do not necessarily mean a reduced incidence of unsafe abortions, especially for adolescents, girls and young women. Multiple barriers still exist in practice. Conclusion. Limits and bounds of the law as a tool to enhance safe abortion exist. The importance of alignment of laws, policies and practices is noted, recognising that all may influence and affect access to safe abortion, and in turn, sexual reproductive health rights for women and girls.
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Matshalanga, N., and M. Mehlo. "Safe abortion policy provisions in the SADC region: Country responses, key barriers, main recommendations." Southern African Journal of Public Health 5, no. 3 (September 12, 2022): 68–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/sajph.2022.v5.i3.133.
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Background. Abortion is the termination of an already established pregnancy. The abortion may be induced, voluntarily performed or spontaneous, but when it is done by persons lacking the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards, it is considered unsafe. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has a robust policy framework for combating unsafe abortion.Objectives. To examine the relationship between abortion laws and access to safe abortion services in the SADC region as an important and necessary yardstick for measuring the progress of a nation in securing reproductive and sexual health. To analyse the relationship between laws governing abortion, abortion and post-abortion national guidance, and access to safe abortion services by adolescent girls and young women.Methods. A desk review of all legal, policy and national guidelines for all 16 SADC member states was done. Secondary data were collected, and the knowledge, attitudes and practices reflected on abortion surveys were examined in 15 out of 16 of the member states in both rural and urban settings. Sixty-three focus group discussions were held across 15 out of 16 countries, and 127 key informant interviews were held with non-governmental organisations, government ministries and relevant departments in the 15 countries.Results. Countries with restrictive abortion laws are more likely to have a relatively high proportion of unsafe abortions. The results indicated a proportion of unsafe abortions ranging from 43% to 79% for those countries where the legal framework does not lend itself to ease of access. Liberal abortion laws and guidelines do not necessarily mean a reduced incidence of unsafe abortions, especially for adolescents, girls and young women. Multiple barriers still exist in practice. Conclusion. Limits and bounds of the law as a tool to enhance safe abortion exist. The importance of alignment of laws, policies and practices is noted, recognising that all may influence and affect access to safe abortion, and in turn, sexual reproductive health rights for women and girls.
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HARRIES, J., N. LINCE, D. CONSTANT, A. HARGEY, and D. GROSSMAN. "THE CHALLENGES OF OFFERING PUBLIC SECOND TRIMESTER ABORTION SERVICES IN SOUTH AFRICA: HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS' PERSPECTIVES." Journal of Biosocial Science 44, no. 2 (November 17, 2011): 197–208. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0021932011000678.
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SummaryAround 25% of abortions in South Africa are performed in the second trimester. This study aimed to better understand what doctors, nurses and hospital managers involved in second trimester abortion care thought about these services and how they could be improved. Nineteen in-depth interviews with abortion-related service providers and managers in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, were undertaken. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Participants expressed resistance to the dilation and evacuation (D&E) procedure, as this required more active provider involvement. Medical abortion was preferred as it required less provider involvement in the abortion process. A shortage of providers willing to perform D&E resulted in most public sector services being outsourced to private sector doctors. Respondents noted an increased demand for services and a concomitant lack of infrastructure, physical space and personnel to respond to these demands, sometimes resulting in fragmented or poor quality care. At medical induction sites, most thought introducing the combined mifepristone–misoprostol regimen would improve service capacity, although they were concerned about cost. Improving contraceptive services was also seen as a much-needed intervention to improve care and prevent abortion. Ongoing training, including values clarification, as well as emotional support and team-building for providers are needed to ensure sustainable, high-quality second trimester abortion services.
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Telli, Pınar, Tomris Cesuroğlu, and Feride Aksu Tanık. "How Do Pronatalist Policies Impact Women’s Access to Safe Abortion Services in Turkey?" International Journal of Health Services 49, no. 4 (July 1, 2019): 799–816. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0020731419855877.
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A pronatalist discourse and anti-abortion rhetoric used by prominent politicians in Turkey, prior to and following the proposed ban of abortion in 2012, have resulted in reports of women facing difficulty accessing safe abortion services (SAS), risking the resurgence of unsafe abortions. We conducted a qualitative study to identify the impact of the ongoing pronatalist discourse on women’s access to SAS, using semi-structured interviews with 19 experts (16 female, 3 male) in reproductive health, including academics, doctors, midwives, and health authorities. Participants from 4 cities (Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, and Manisa) were identified through a combined snowball and purposive sampling technique. The findings show that the pronatalist discourse has directly and indirectly inhibited access to SAS. Women’s and health professionals’ perception of abortion services has been tainted by rhetoric; provision of SAS in the public sector is slowly ceasing; and health reform-related organizational changes have diminished access to family planning services and contraceptive methods. Provision of SAS in the private sector continues but is only accessible for women with sufficient financial means. Preventing women’s access to SAS risks a rise in unwanted pregnancies and—consequently—in the number of women who may seek dangerous alternatives, including unsafe, life-threatening abortions.
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Rahm, Laura, Silvia De Zordo, Joanna Mishtal, Camille L. Garnsey, and Caitlin Gerdts. "Inter-departmental abortion travels in metropolitan France: A mixed-methods analysis of women’s experiences, access, and barriers to abortion care." PLOS ONE 17, no. 10 (October 4, 2022): e0273190. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0273190.
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In Europe, there is a dearth of studies on abortion-related mobilities within countries where abortion is legal. In France, 18% of women seek abortion care outside their department of residence care. Most of these flows take place within Île-de-France region. This paper aims at providing novel insights into the motives and experiences of women traveling within France and particularly within the Île-de-France region for abortion care. It draws upon official abortion statistics as well as quantitative and qualitative data collected in three Parisian hospitals during a five-year European research project on barriers to legal abortion and abortion travel. Despite governmental efforts to facilitate access to abortions over the past decades, our findings show that various barriers exist for why women do not find services in their department of residence (lack of services or access to preferred methods, quality of care, long waiting times). However, most of our study participants report coming to Paris as a convenience and use commuting as a strategy to overcome obstacles in receiving abortion care.
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Munro, Sarah, Savvy Benipal, Aleyah Williams, Kate Wahl, Logan Trenaman, and Stephanie Begun. "Access experiences and attitudes toward abortion among youth experiencing homelessness in the United States: A systematic review." PLOS ONE 16, no. 7 (July 1, 2021): e0252434. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252434.
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Objectives We sought to review the literature on the access experiences and attitudes toward abortion among youth experiencing homelessness in the United States. Methods We conducted a systematic review of peer‐reviewed literature published from 2001 to 2019. We included qualitative studies involving US participants that focused on access experiences, views, or accounts of unintended pregnancy and/or abortion among youth experiencing homelessness. We excluded studies published before 2001 as that was the year mifepristone medication abortion was made available in the US and we aimed to investigate experiences of access to both medical and surgical abortion options. Results Our thematic analysis of the data resulted in five key themes that characterize the abortion attitudes and access experiences of youth experiencing homelessness: (1) engaging in survival sex and forced sex, (2) balancing relationships and autonomy, (3) availability does not equal access, (4) attempting self-induced abortions using harmful methods, and (5) feeling resilient despite traumatic unplanned pregnancy experiences. Conclusions Youth experiencing homelessness experience barriers to abortion access across the US, including in states with a supportive policy context and publicly funded abortion services. In the absence of accessible services, youth may consider harmful methods of self-induced abortion. Improved services should be designed to offer low-barrier abortion care with the qualities that youth identified as important to them, including privacy and autonomy.
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Shrestha, Anjupa, and S. Sharma. "Status of Abortion Services in Jumla." Journal of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences 1, no. 2 (October 6, 2018): 47–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jkahs.v1i2.24138.
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Introduction: Abortion was legalized in Nepal in September 2002. Only a trained and listed provider can provide abortion services at a health. For many women, especially in developing countries like Nepal, safe abortion may not be available, affordable or accessible despite the liberalization of abortion law. The aim of this study was to determine the status of abortion in Jumla.
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted from the record of District Health Office; Jumla from the month of Ashad 2074 to Jestha 2075. Total Enumerative sampling technique was used. Data of public health sector and Marie Stopes Center, Jumla were retrieved and analyzed in terms of frequency, rate, and percentage.
Results: Total 1196 women have received abortion services and abortion rate was 36.077 per 1000 (15-49 Years women). Most of the women(90%) were more than 20 years of age and majority of women (82%) chose medical method for abortion service. Majority (88.62%) have used Post abortion family Planning services.
Conclusions: The abortion rate of Jumla was still high. Nine out of ten women who received abortion services were more than 20 years of age. Women preferred medical method rather than surgical method for abortion service. Nearly one tenth women had not used any post abortion family planning method.
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Popinchalk, Anna, and Gilda Sedgh. "Trends in the method and gestational age of abortion in high-income countries." BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health 45, no. 2 (April 2019): 95–103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2018-200149.
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BackgroundExamining the distribution of abortions by method of abortion and gestational age at time of termination provides insight about the options women may have to terminate their pregnancies. Comparing these distributions across countries and over time is an important step toward understanding the factors that can drive these distributions, including regulations and practices related to the provision of abortion services, and women’s preferences and needs.MethodsWe sought official statistics on gestational age and method of abortion for all high-income countries with liberal abortion laws. For the 24 high-income countries with available data, we calculated percentage distributions of abortions by gestational age of pregnancy and method of abortion for 2017 or the most recent year for which data were available, and assessed trends in the preceding 10 years whenever possible.ResultsMedication (or medical) abortion accounts for at least half of all abortions in the majority of countries. In the majority of countries over 90% of all abortions were completed before 13 weeks, and more than two-thirds of abortions occurred before the first 9 weeks of gestation. Over the past 10 years there has been an increase in both the proportion of abortions that were medication abortions and the proportion that were obtained before 9 weeks gestation.ConclusionsThese findings highlight changes in abortion provision in the past decade. More research is needed to understand whether the observed distributions are a function of women’s preferences or of barriers to the timing and type of care they would prefer.
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Sperlich, Mickey, Gretchen E. Ely, Rebecca S. Rouland, Connor A. Walters, and Max Carwile. "Reflections of stress in US abortion narratives." Journal of Social Work 20, no. 5 (May 27, 2019): 533–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1468017319852602.
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A trauma-informed, thematic analysis that identified stress-related themes evident in 39 personal abortion narratives from the Tennessee Stories Project in the United States is presented in this paper. Using the Braun and Clarke model of thematic analysis, guided by the trauma-informed social work framework, researchers examined these narratives to identify stress related themes.FindingsAn overall theme of stress and traumatic stress was found to be present throughout the abortion narratives. These themes were categorized into subthemes, including: (a) existing life stressors preceding the abortion experience, (b) stressors while trying to access abortion services, (c) stressors while obtaining abortion services, and (d) stressors arising after the procedure.ApplicationsThese results suggest that stress and traumatic stress were reflected in these abortion narratives throughout the abortion seeking experience. This finding supports the need for social work practice responses that are designed to address and eliminate stress during the process of seeking and obtaining an abortion in the United States. A trauma-informed framework is recommended for guiding social work education about abortion, social worker interactions with clients who are seeking abortions, and the development of abortion policy in the United States in order to better align the abortion seeking experience with the principles of trauma-informed care.
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Jain, Dipika. "Beyond bars, coercion and death: Rethinking abortion rights and justice in India." Oñati Socio-Legal Series 14, no. 1 (February 1, 2024): 99–118. http://dx.doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl.1680.
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The legal framework governing abortion in India is, at its core, a cis-hetero-patriarchal framework that regulates pregnant persons' bodies using a punitive criminal justice system. The criminal framework encompasses Sections 312-318 IPC, provisions of the POCSO Act, and the PCPNDT Act, which prescribe significant state surveillance and allow for largely unchecked intimidation by law enforcement of both abortion providers and abortion seekers. Several case laws show the “chilling effect” of criminalization on healthcare providers, leading them to hesitate to provide safe abortion services. The stigma around abortions perpetuated by criminalization, leaves pregnant persons with limited reproductive choices – these include either availing of safe abortions and risking prosecution, availing of unsafe abortions and risking adverse health outcomes, or carrying unwanted pregnancies to term and avoiding prenatal and maternal healthcare. Criminalization disproportionately affects marginalized communities, with examples of legal reform showing carceral approaches' disregard for structural factors affecting certain groups' access to fundamental rights and healthcare services. It is, therefore, imperative to decriminalize abortion completely, framing avenues for redressal within a reproductive justice framework. The proposal to completely abolish penal provisions that govern forced abortions begets concerns about leaving marginalized pregnant persons who frequently experience forced abortions with no legal recourse. This feminist dilemma that ensues requires the adoption of decarceral, intersectional approaches that maintain structures of accountability for harm done, without posing any risk to the rights of marginalized pregnant persons. El marco jurídico que rige el aborto en India es fundamentalmente una estructura cis-heteropatriarcal, que utiliza un sistema de justicia penal punitivo para controlar los cuerpos de las personas embarazadas. Las secciones 312-318 del Código Penal indio, junto con la ley de Protección de los niños contra los delitos sexuales y la ley de Técnicas de diagnóstico prenatal y antes de la concepción, componen este marco penal, promoviendo una vigilancia estatal que intimida por igual a quienes practican el aborto y a quienes lo solicitan. Los casos judiciales ilustran vívidamente el perjudicial “efecto amedrentador” que tiene la penalización tanto sobre los proveedores de atención sanitaria como sobre quienes buscan abortar. El estigma vinculado a los abortos penalizados limita la autonomía de decisión reproductiva, obligando a las personas a elegir entre procedimientos seguros pero perseguibles, abortos inseguros con riesgos para la salud, o llevar a término embarazos no deseados. Esto afecta de manera desproporcionada a las comunidades marginadas, lo que pone de relieve la inadecuación de los enfoques carcelarios para abordar las barreras estructurales a la realización de los derechos reproductivos. Los activistas piden la despenalización completa, impulsando una transición hacia un marco de justicia reproductiva. La propuesta de abolir por completo las disposiciones penales que regulan los abortos forzados suscita la preocupación de dejar sin recursos legales a las personas embarazadas marginadas que suelen sufrir abortos forzados. El dilema feminista que se plantea exige la adopción de enfoques descarceladores e interseccionales que mantengan las estructuras de rendición de cuentas sin poner en peligro los derechos de las mujeres embarazadas marginadas.
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Giorgio, Margaret, Fredrick Makumbi, Simon Peter Sebina Kibira, Solomon Shiferaw, Assefa Seme, Suzanne O. Bell, and Elizabeth Sully. "Self-reported abortion experiences in Ethiopia and Uganda, new evidence from cross-sectional community-based surveys." PLOS Global Public Health 3, no. 9 (September 8, 2023): e0002340. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002340.
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Unsafe abortion is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. To gain insight into the ways in which abortion restrictions and stigma may shape reproductive health outcomes, we present self-reported data on abortions in Ethiopia and Uganda and compare these findings across the two varying legal contexts. W investigate differences in sociodemographic characteristics by whether or not a woman self-reported an abortion, and we describe the characteristics of women’s most recent self-reported abortion. In Ethiopia only, we classified abortions as being either safe, less safe, or least safe. Finally, we estimate minimum one-year induced abortion incidence rates using the Network Scale-Up Method (NSUM). We find that women who self-reported abortions were more commonly older, formerly married, or had any children compared to women who did not report an abortion. While three-quarters of women in both settings accessed their abortion in a health facility, women in Ethiopia more commonly used public facilities as compared to in Uganda (23.0% vs 12.6%). In Ethiopia, 62.4% of self-reported abortions were classified as safe, and treated complications were more commonly reported among least and less safe abortions compared to safe abortions (21.4% and 23.1% vs. 12.4%, respectively). Self-reported postabortion complications were more common in Uganda (37.2% vs 16.0%). The NSUM estimate for the minimum one-year abortion incidence rate was 4.7 per 1000 in Ethiopia (95% CI 3.9–5.6) and 19.4 per 1000 in Uganda (95% C 16.2–22.8). The frequency of abortions and low levels of contraception use at the time women became pregnant suggest a need for increased investments in family planning services in both settings. Further, it is likely that the broadly accessible nature of abortion in Ethiopia has made abortions safer and less likely to result in complications in Ethiopia as compared to Uganda.
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Mishra, Sangeeta Kaushal, T. Geetha Rana, Shree Prasad Adhikary, Sandesh Paudel, and Prabhu Sah. "Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on safe abortion and family planning services at a tertiary care women’s hospital in Nepal." International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology 10, no. 6 (May 27, 2021): 2453. http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20212192.
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Background: The COVID-19pandemic emerged as a major public health crisis, which has affected all dimensions of the health care system. Sexual and reproductive health services were severely affected, leading to a decrease in access and service utilization, affecting the overall health of women.Methods: A two-year comparative study, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, on safe abortion services and family planning, was conducted at Paropakar maternity and women's hospital to assess the impact of COVID-19 on service utilization.Results: Safe abortion services were decreased by 34.4%, and family planning services by 39%, in 2020 as compared to the previous year. Uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptives and permanent methods was most affected. Utilization of services was affected markedly during lockdown, and showed a persistent decline, even after the lockdown was lifted.Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected safe abortion and family planning services in Nepal due to lockdown, travel restriction, home isolation, resource reallocation, health facilities serving only emergencies and confusing messages about COVID-19 control. The decline in these services will create additional demand and pressure on the health care system, resulting from unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Health care staffs should be reoriented about the essential nature of safe abortion and family planning services during emergencies, and the implications of service disruption, on society and the country. Pragmatic and gender sensitive changes to national policies should be made, to ensure that women's health is safeguarded, and safe abortion and family planning included as essential health care services during emergencies.
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Uaamnuichai, Sutira, Rattiya Chuchot, Phanupong Phutrakool, Ratthapong Rongkapich, Rada Poolkumlung, Somsook Santibenchakul, and Unnop Jaisamrarn. "Knowledge, Moral Attitude, and Practice of Nursing Students Toward Abortion." INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing 60 (January 2023): 004695802311639. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00469580231163994.
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In 2021, Thailand decriminalized abortions to allow for legal abortions on request up to 12 weeks’ gestation and conditionally up to 20 weeks’ gestation, or in the case of sexual assault, maternal mental or physical harm, or fetal abnormality. We intend to say that healthcare practitioners’ positive attitudes toward abortion will destigmatize abortion for both themselves and their patients. We explored the knowledge, attitudes, and intended practices of nursing students toward safe abortion practices in light of the recent law reform. This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 4 parts: a demographic information questionnaire; and measures to assess their knowledge, moral attitudes, and intended practice regarding safe abortion care. Questionnaires were sent to 206 nursing students who had completed the Midwifery and Maternal-Newborn Nursing rotation in Bangkok, Thailand. The survey response rate was 90.8%. Mean (standard deviation) knowledge score was 6.72 (1.86) out of 10. Buddhist students were more likely to have a positive attitude toward abortions. Most students intended to practice safe abortions in pregnancies that affect maternal physical or mental health, or in pregnancies that resulted from unlawful sexual contact. Students were more ambivalent toward abortion practices for socioeconomic reasons. Better knowledge of abortion legislation was associated with a more positive attitude toward abortions and safe abortion practice intention. Approximately 1 year after the abortion law reform in Thailand, nursing students had incomplete knowledge of the amendment. Most students were inclined to provide abortion care services for certain conditions.
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Singh, Susheela, Rubina Hussain, Chander Shekhar, Rajib Acharya, Melissa Stillman, and Ann M. Moore. "Incidence of treatment for postabortion complications in India, 2015." BMJ Global Health 5, no. 7 (July 2020): e002372. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002372.
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Abortion has been legal under broad criteria in India since 1971. However, access to legal abortion services remains poor. In the past decade, medication abortion (MA) has become widely available in India and use of this method outside of health facilities accounts for over 70% of all abortions. Morbidity from unsafe abortion remains an important health issue. The informal providers who are the primary source of MA may have poor knowledge of the method and may offer inadequate or inaccurate advice on use of the method. Misuse of the method can result in women seeking treatment for true complications as well as during the normal processes of MA. An estimated 5% of all abortions are done using highly unsafe methods and performed by unskilled providers, also contributing to abortion morbidity. This paper provides new representative abortion-related morbidity measures at the national and subnational levels from a large-scale 2015 study of six Indian states—Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. The outcomes include the number and treatment rates of women with complications resulting from induced abortion and the type of complications. The total number of women treated for abortion complications at the national level is 5.2 million, and the rate is 15.7 per 1000 women of reproductive age per year. In all six study states, a high proportion of all women receiving postabortion care were admitted with incomplete abortion from use of MA—ranging from 33% in Tamil Nadu to 65% in Assam. The paper fills an important gap by providing new evidence that can inform policy-makers and health planners at all levels and lead to improvements in the provision of postabortion care and legal abortion services—improvements that would greatly reduce abortion-related morbidity and its costs to Indian women, their families and the healthcare system.
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Rizwan, Aesha Sadaf, Shazia Jang Sher, Umber Asad, Shazia Anwar, Irum Batool Hashmi, and Shariq Ali Khan. "Assessment of Post-abortion Care Services in Punjab Pakistan." Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences 15, no. 8 (August 30, 2021): 2549–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs211582549.
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Background: Globally, Post abortion and pregnancy complications such as sepsis, hemorrhage and hypertensive diseases are the prominent bases of maternal mortality. Post-abortion family planning and effective treatment for unintended pregnancies could provide high quality post-abortion care. Limited data available in Punjab, Pakistan regarding post-abortion care services in health system. Aim: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the post-abortion care services in health care system of Punjab, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 226 post-abortion patients of multi health care centers of Punjab, Pakistan from November 2020 to April 2021. Individual’s history, age, demographic characteristics, reproductive history, post-abortion attitude were surveyed using pre-designed and structured questionnaire. Also, post-abortion care such as pain management, treatment cost, waiting time, service confidentiality, contraceptive device cost, and patient’s interaction as well as family planning were assessed. Stata software was used for data analysis. Results: Of all the post-abortion cases, 207 (91.6%) were found satisfactory regarding post-abortion care. Effective pain management during treatment, treatment cost affordability, proper waiting time (< 0.5 hours), patient’s effective interaction, service’s confidentiality, and premises cleanliness were statistically significant when correlated with satisfied women (p-value<0.001). Conclusion: Our study found higher prevalence (91.6%) of post-abortion care satisfied women. However, effective treatment and regular follow-up should be assured for management of post-abortion complications such as services confidentiality, pain management, patient’s interaction and client’s optimal satisfaction with services. Keywords: Assessment, Post-abortion care, Health facilities
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Lord, Jonathan. "Quality and abortion services." Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care 43, no. 1 (December 22, 2016): 16–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jfprhc-2016-101580.
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Kulczycki, Andrzej. "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Abortion, Catholicism, the Populist Right and Public Health Threats in Poland." Religions 14, no. 10 (October 8, 2023): 1271. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rel14101271.
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This article analyzes how and why a near-total abortion ban was recently secured by a populist ruling party with support from Catholic Church leaders and lay groups following earlier passage of one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. The paper further examines the public health threats posed by these measures, which have long been under-researched. These policy shifts are situated within the deeply embedded context of Poland’s abortion conflict and a setting that has long been challenging for reproductive health. The 1993 ban led to the resurgence of clandestine abortions, a near-total privatization of abortion services, and more women seeking abortion services overseas. In late 2020, the exemption for severe fetal anomalies that made up 97% of all legal abortion cases in prior years was eliminated. Neither ban has significantly reduced the number of women obtaining abortions, nor have they increased birth rates as anticipated by proponents who championed traditional family values that they equated with Catholicism and Polish national identity. The new blanket ban on abortion constitutes a health risk and a punitive measure achieved via a judgement of the Constitutional Tribunal stacked with loyalists by the ruling party. It did not reflect popular will, although societal attitudes on abortion are markedly less permissive than in much of Europe. Although the populist and religious right have realized their long-held goal of further restricting, if not eliminating, women’s access to abortion services, compelling criticisms have been raised about how this move compromises women’s health and autonomy. Ironically, the realization of this goal, which many Poles view as unduly extreme, may also undermine long-term support for both the political right and the Church. The wisdom of their move was widely questioned, sparked the largest protests since the end of Communist rule, and drew international criticism. It proved a polarizing action that alienated many young adults and may have accentuated a secularizing shift. Women and their partners are finding new ways to navigate many public health threats by increasingly traveling beyond Poland for safe abortion care and resorting to newly available medication abortion methods.
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Abubakari, Shamsiyatu, Vincent Uwumboriyhie Gmayinaam, and Eric Osei. "Knowledge and attitude towards Ghana’s abortion law: A cross-sectional study among female undergraduate students." PLOS Global Public Health 3, no. 4 (April 21, 2023): e0001719. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0001719.
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Ghana amended its abortion law to permit abortion under certain circumstances due to the impacts of unsafe abortion. Even though the abortion law in Ghana is liberal, most women do not utilize the services. Studies have shown that lack of knowledge and attitude towards abortion laws are the barriers deterring women from using safe abortion services. This study, therefore, assessed the knowledge and attitudes of future female health professionals towards Ghana’s abortion law. This was an institutional-based cross-sectional study among 240 female students undertaking undergraduate courses at the Fred Newton Binka School of Public Health (FNBSPH), the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ghana. Knowledge was measured with 9 items using yes or no responses while Attitude was measured using a five-point Likert scale with 14 items. Factors associated with poor knowledge among the students were determined using logistic regression. All analyses were done using STATA version 16.0. Of the 240 participants, 24 (10%) reported ever being pregnant. Among these pregnancies, 20 (83.3%) ended in abortions, with 15 (75%) of them unsafely done. The majority (53.3%) of the students knew the conditions under which abortion is allowed in Ghana and most (61.7%) of them had positive attitudes towards the abortion legislation in the country. The year of study (aOR: 0.06; 95%CI: 0.01–0.23), residential status (aOR: 0.44; 95%CI: 0.20–0.74) and poor attitude towards the abortion law (Aor:0.46; 95% CI: 0.26–0.82) were associated with poor abortion law knowledge among the students. This study has demonstrated that knowledge and attitude towards Ghana’s abortion legislation among the students was fairly good. Students’ year of study, residential status and attitude towards the abortion law were also found associated with poor knowledge of Ghana’s abortion law. Increasing young women’s knowledge of the abortion law may lead to more favourable attitudes towards abortion, improving the utilization of safe and legal abortion services.
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Adde, Kenneth Setorwu, Eugene Kofuor Maafo Darteh, Akwasi Kumi-Kyereme, and Hubert Amu. "Responsiveness of Health Professionals to Postabortion Care at a Regional Level Hospital in Ghana: A Qualitative Study of Patients’ Self-Reports." International Journal of Reproductive Medicine 2018 (2018): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/3861760.
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Background. The responsiveness of health professionals to patients in the provision of abortion services is essential to influencing patients’ perceptions and expectations regarding the quality of medical care to be received and their general satisfaction. This, in turn, determines if patients will revisit a particular health facility to access abortion services. In this study, we examine the responsiveness of health professionals in providing postabortion care at a regional level health facility in Ghana. Methods. Qualitative data collected from 20 female patients who assessed abortion services at a regional level health facility in Ghana were used. The sample was achieved through saturation while a systematic qualitative orientated text analysis was adopted in analysing the data. Results. Health professionals were responsive to postabortion care at the facility. Most women who sought postabortion care at the facility were referred from other health facilities which could not handle such cases. Other reasons include satisfaction with services received on previous visits to the hospital. We also realized, however, that postabortion services were not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme. Conclusions. All hospitals across the country should be equipped with the basic equipment and personnel to conduct and manage abortions. This would reduce not only referrals but also possible maternal deaths. Abortion services should also be added to the services covered by the country’s National Health Insurance Scheme.
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Ambast, Sanhita, Hazal Atay, and Antonella Lavelanet. "A global review of penalties for abortion-related offences in 182 countries." BMJ Global Health 8, no. 3 (February 2023): e010405. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010405.
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Public health research and human rights bodies have demonstrated the risks involved with criminalising abortion services and noted a need for full decriminalisation. Despite this, abortions are criminalised in some circumstances in almost all countries in the world today. This paper uses data from the Global Abortion Policies Database (GAPD) to analyse what criminal penalties exist for those who are seeking, providing and assisting in abortions in 182 countries.This paper uses data on abortion-related penalties available on the GAPD as of October 2022. It includes which actors are penalised, whether specific penalties exist for negligence, non-consensual abortions, whether any secondary additional considerations/judicial discretion exist in sentencing and the legal sources for these penalties.134 countries penalise abortion-seekers, 181 countries penalise abortion-providers and 159 countries penalise persons assisting in abortions. The maximum penalty is between 0 and 5 years of imprisonment in a majority of countries; however, it can be much higher in other countries. Some countries further prescribe fines, and professional sanctions for providers and those who assist. 34 countries restrict the dissemination of information about abortion.The range of possible penalties across countries and associated aggravating and mitigating factors for imposing these penalties support arguments for the decriminalisation of abortion on the grounds of arbitrariness. Abortions are also predominantly regulated through the criminal law, which may compound the stigma associated with seeking, assisting with and/or providing abortions when it is criminalised.There has been no comprehensive study of penalties for abortion at a global level. This article describes what specific penalties abortion seekers and providers face, what factors may increase or decrease these penalties, and the legal sources for these penalties. The findings provide additional evidence of the arbitrariness and potential for stigma associated with the criminalisation of abortion and strengthen the case for decriminalisation.
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Khatun, Rokhshana, Osman Gani, Lipika Ghosh, and Mamata Manjari. "Types of Abortion and Its Consequences in Dhaka Medical College Hospital." Ibrahim Cardiac Medical Journal 10, no. 1-2 (March 15, 2021): 66–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icmj.v10i1-2.54008.
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Background & objective: Among the gynaecological cases admitted in tertiary care hospitals, abortion occupies the highest position. But detailed studies about the pattern of abortion admitted in the hospitals are limited. The present study was intended to find the proportion of abortion cases to total admitted cases and describe the types, clinical presentation and consequences of abortions.
Methods: This study was carried out among a cross-section of abortion patients admitted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital. A total of 100 women admitted with a history of abortion between January and June, 2003 were consecutively included in the study. On admission, blood sample was sent for blood grouping & cross-matching and estimation of haemoglobin. Additional investigations like routine blood test, TC, DC, urine for R/E were done in septic abortion cases. High vaginal swab was collected from all cases but only in 5 patients, it was possible to carry out culture and sensitivity test. All cases were admitted and followed up to discharge for studying their consequences.
Result: Majority (61%) of the patients was admitted in their third decade of life. The included cases were predominantly poor (68%), Muslim (97%) and urban residents (78%). Over half (54%) of the patients were illiterate. Sixty percent patients were multipara, 21% primipara and 19% nullipara. Two patients were unmarried. One-quarter had previous history of 1-4 abortions. Of the 100 cases of abortions, over three-quarters (77%) were of spontaneous abortions and 23% were of induced abortions. Two-thirds (66%) of the cases presented with incomplete abortions, which among others, included incomplete MR (13%). Septic abortion was 12%; of which 10% were induced and 2% spontaneous abortions, complicated to septic abortions. Missed abortion was 10%, inevitable 10% and threatened 6%. Out of 100 cases, 86% required operative intervention which included dilatation, evacuation and curettage (95.2%), subtotal hysterectomy, repair of perforation, hysterotomy and colpotomy. Two threatened abortions cases continued their pregnancy. One threatened abortion, five missed abortion, one septic abortion and six inevitable abortion cases spontaneously expelled their product of conceptus. Seventy-nine patients received whole blood transfusion to compensate for haemorrhage. Over 80% were discharged from the hospital within 5 days. Complications (except anaemia) of abortion were found in 49% cases. One case of septic abortion with endotoxic shock and severe anemia died of the disease.
Conclusion: Complications of abortion are preventable if the patients are made aware about the grave consequences of abortion and appropriate health services are extended at field levels.
Ibrahim Card Med J 2020; 10 (1&2): 66-73
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Bharti, Sapna, and Varuna Sugha. "Case Report on Self-Prescribed Abortion Pill Intake: A Downhill to Maternal Morbidity." International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research 7, no. 3 (September 28, 2022): 406–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20220758.
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The mortality is more common in the countries where the abortion is not legalized. Unsafe abortions cause 8–11% of global maternal deaths and occur predominantly in low-income and middle-income countries.[1] Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP Act) was passed in 1971 by Indian Parliament, with the goal to regulate and ensure accessibility for safe abortion. After the passage of this Act, legal position was given to abortion in India.[2] This act defined when, where and by whom it can be done. World Health Organization (WHO) and Federation of Obstetrician and Gynecologist Societies of India (FOGSI) have formulated guidelines for pre-abortion work up and examination for confirmation of pregnancy, correct gestational age and confirm the intra-uterine location of the pregnancy.[3] Despite liberal abortion care services provided in India, many women tend to self-medicate with abortion pills for MTP. This in turn results in high rate of unsupervised abortions and life-threatening complications. We are hereby presenting a case report on 28 year old P1+1 with history of OTC abortion pill intake at approximately 9 week with excessive bleeding per vaginum with endometritis with previous LSCS. Keywords: Abortion, self-prescribed abortion pill, OTC abortion pill, MTP, Medical Termination of PregnancyAbortion, self-prescribed abortion pill, OTC abortion pill, MTP, Medical Termination of Pregnancy