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The Influence of Abortion Law on the Frequency of Pregnancy Terminations—A Retrospective Comparative Study

Author

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  • Kornelia Zaręba

    (1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-004 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Stanisław Wójtowicz

    (Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Communication, Medical University of Warsaw, 00-581 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Jolanta Banasiewicz

    (Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Communication, Medical University of Warsaw, 00-581 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Krzysztof Herman

    (1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-004 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Grzegorz Jakiel

    (1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-004 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Abortion law is one of the main factors influencing the number of abortions performed in a country. The study aimed to assess the influence of abortion law on the number of performed terminations with particular attention paid to pregnancy terminations due to fetal defects. The retrospective comparative analysis of statistical data included on the governmental websites of Poland and the UK was performed. The average of 190,733.1 terminations were performed in the United Kingdom in the years 2009–2018 with the average of 2820.9 due to fetal defects. At the same time the average of 858.6 terminations were performed in Poland with 820.7 due to fetal defects. Population size is the only significant predictor of the number of terminations in the United Kingdom. The increase in the number of deliveries and population in Poland was not linked to the increase in the overall number of terminations or terminations due to fetal defects. It might be due to the unavailability of pregnancy terminations in many places. The radicalization of abortion law exerts no influence on the decrease in the number of terminations due to fetal indications. The liberalization of abortion law promotes the increase in the number of terminations due to social indications.

Suggested Citation

  • Kornelia Zaręba & Stanisław Wójtowicz & Jolanta Banasiewicz & Krzysztof Herman & Grzegorz Jakiel, 2021. "The Influence of Abortion Law on the Frequency of Pregnancy Terminations—A Retrospective Comparative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:4099-:d:535297
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kornelia Zaręba & Marta Makara-Studzińska & Michał Ciebiera & Jacek Gierus & Grzegorz Jakiel, 2018. "Role of Social and Informational Support while Deciding on Pregnancy Termination for Medical Reasons," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Kornelia Zaręba & Valentina Lucia La Rosa & Michał Ciebiera & Marta Makara-Studzińska & Jacek Gierus & Grzegorz Jakiel, 2019. "Psychosocial Profile and Reproductive Decisions of Women Undergoing Pregnancy Termination for Medical Reasons—A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-9, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kornelia Zaręba & Valentina Lucia La Rosa & Stanisław Wójtowicz & Ewelina Kołb-Sielecka & Jolanta Banasiewicz & Michał Ciebiera & Grzegorz Jakiel, 2022. "The Opinions of Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology on the Indications for Pregnancy Termination in Poland—A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Aura Y. Rodríguez-Burbano & Diana M. Galván-Canchila & Rocío de Diego-Cordero, 2022. "Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Girls among Colombian Healthcare Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, September.
    3. Maciej Stokłosa & Iga Stokłosa & Mateusz Porwolik & Maciej Bugajski & Gniewko Więckiewicz & Tomasz Męcik-Kronenberg & Magdalena Piegza & Robert Pudlo & Piotr Gorczyca, 2021. "Mercy Procedure or a Nightmare? Attitude towards Pregnancy Termination among Polish University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-12, December.

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