Abstract : The study's aim was to examine contraceptive use and use of induced abortion for preventing unwanted births in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Trends in contraceptive use were described and problems identified. The context of abortion use was described in terms of the role within a reproductive life cycle, the primary users, the methods used, and the risks associated with different techniques and different practitioners. Data were obtained from analyses of fertility surveys, an Alan Guttmacher Institute survey of about 200 professionals in the six study countries who were knowledgeable about abortion practices, and official government statistics on abortion complications reported by hospitals. Presently in Latin America, couples desire a small family: 2.7 in Peru, 2.8 in Colombia and Chile, 3,0 in Brazil, and 3.3 in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. In Latin America, family size has declined by 45% from about 6 children per woman in the 1960s. Based on surveys, about 30% of women of reproductive age have never had sexual intercourse or been in a union. Of the remaining 70% who could become pregnant, 34% in Mexico, 44% in Brazil, 36-40% in Colombia, Peru, and the Dominican Republic, and 56% in Chile use family planning. Preferred method varied by country, but was predominately a female method. It was estimated that 19-34% of all women aged 15-44 years in the six countries were inadequately protected: 8 million in Brazil, 6.7 million in Mexico, and 1.9 million in Peru. Incorrect use and distrust of modern methods account for a proportion of unplanned pregnancy. A listing of some of the folk methods generally available and manufactured was given. The medical survey found that women used a broad range of methods for terminating unwanted pregnancies. The vaginal or oral application of a drug called misoprostol or Cytotec was popular in Colombia and the Dominican Republic. In Brazil, this drug is available only by prescription. Many desperate measures are used, and in rural areas most women self-abort or use untrained practitioners, which was considered by medical personnel to be the most responsible for complications. A medically approved abortion cost the lowest in Colombia. Estimated abortions were 2.8 million annually for all six countries, which means an estimated 4 million for Latin America.
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