Resumen : In Mexico, induced abortion is legal when there is: danger to the pregnant woman's life; the possibility of congenital defects; or pregnancy resulting from rape. Seven states allow abortion when pregnancy would jeopardize a woman's health, and one state allows abortion in cases of economic hardship. Despite the country's family planning policy, abortion rates are high and increasing. This study attempts to identify factors that contribute to the decision by women, particularly poor women, to undergo abortion under unsafe, dangerous conditions. The study also explores the perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge of health care providers, particularly hospital staff, of the motivations of abortion seekers. Structured interviews were carried out with 300 women admitted in the Hospital de la Mujer for abortion complications between August 15, 1990, and January 15, 1991, and with 142 hospital staff. For all the women interviewed, economic circumstances were a factor in the Decision making process. Male attitudes; unstable relationships; youthful age; and inaccessibility and unavailability of contraceptive methods all contributed to the decision to abort. Regarding the quality of health care for abortion complications, the women could have received better care if the health providers were more compassionate and well-trained and the facilities had appropriate equipment. Many of the hospital staff were fully aware of the need for safe abortion services, however, none of these providers agreed to perform an abortion. To prevent induced abortion and its consequences, it requires not only a modification of the many aspects of the maternal health care system but also an understanding of the complex cultural values that support its existence.
Web site : http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/Abstracts/abortion.html