Citation

Prog. Hum. Reprod. Res. 1994; (29): 5.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, WHO Special Programme of Research, Development, and Research Training in Human Reproduction)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12287991

Abstract

A study was conducted at the Women's Hospital in Mexico City, Mexico, to understand the reasons why women resort to induced abortion. Another objective was to assess the opinions of health personnel that provide care for abortion complications. A sample of 300 women hospitalized for abortion complications were interviewed as well as 120 physicians, nurses, social workers, and family planning staff. Abortion complications represented close to 20% of the yearly maternity ward admissions at the hospital. A total of 28% of the women studied were under 20 years of age, 60% had only some primary schooling or less, and 68% were single or living in common-law unions. 46% had never used a method of contraception, yet 70% did not want to become pregnant. Some women decided to abort for economic reasons in order to be able to provide adequately for the children they already had; others reported that they could not have the child because they were not married. The methods used for inducing abortion included injections and falling from heights or down a flight of stairs. The study found that for most women the decision to abort entailed anguish, fear, and a painful journey to the hospital to seek help when complications became serious. Men were not reported to be involved in this process. The results have been presented to the Director-General of Maternal and Child Health Care of the Ministry of Health of Mexico, who has used them to seek improvements in the service conditions in public hospitals. The authorities at the Women's Hospital have also agreed to take steps to improve the general quality of service. Another important aspect is that the issue of abortion is being studied as a reproductive health problem, particularly in Mexico where abortion is illegal.

Language: en