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Evolution of Legislation and the Incidence of Elective Abortion in Spain: A Retrospective Observational Study (2011–2020)

Author

Listed:
  • Amada Pellico-López

    (Departamento de Enfermería, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Valdecilla s/n, 39008 Santander, Spain
    Cantabria Health Service, Avda. Derechos de la Infancia 31, 39340 Cantabria, Spain)

  • María Paz-Zulueta

    (Departamento de Enfermería, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Valdecilla s/n, 39008 Santander, Spain
    Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Grupo de Investigación en Derecho Sanitario y Bioética (GRIDES), C/Cardenal Herrera Oria s/n, 39011 Cantabria, Spain)

  • Jimena B. Manjón-Rodríguez

    (Hospital Comarcal de Laredo, Avda. Derechos Humanos s/n, CP, 39770 Cantabria, Spain)

  • Mar Sánchez Movellán

    (Sección de Programas de Salud de la Mujer, Dirección General de Salud Pública, Consejería de Sanidad, Gobierno de Cantabria, C/Federico Vial 13, 39009 Cantabria, Spain)

  • Purificación Ajo Bolado

    (Sección de Programas de Salud de la Mujer, Dirección General de Salud Pública, Consejería de Sanidad, Gobierno de Cantabria, C/Federico Vial 13, 39009 Cantabria, Spain)

  • José García-Vázquez

    (Consejería de Salud de Asturias, C/Ciriaco Miguel Vigil, 9, CP, 33005 Oviedo, Spain)

  • Joaquín Cayón-De las Cuevas

    (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Grupo de Investigación en Derecho Sanitario y Bioética (GRIDES), C/Cardenal Herrera Oria s/n, 39011 Cantabria, Spain
    Departamento de Derecho Privado, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda, de los Castros s/n, 39005 Santander, Spain
    Shared senior authorship.)

  • Laura Ruiz-Azcona

    (Departamento de Enfermería, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Valdecilla s/n, 39008 Santander, Spain
    Global Health Research Group, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Valdecilla, s/n, 39008 Santander, Spain
    Shared senior authorship.)

Abstract

Background: According to the WHO, “unsafe abortion occurs when a pregnancy is terminated either by people lacking the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards, or both”. Aim: To review the legislation that ensures access to elective abortion and the main indicators of elective abortion in Spain. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted across all regions of Spain from 2011 to 2020. The regulations of each region on the creation of the clinical committee and the creation of the registry of conscientious objector professionals were identified. Data were collected on rates of elective abortions per 1000 women, type of health center where the intervention was performed, interval of weeks of gestation, and cause. Results: After Law 2/2010 entered into force, the Spanish regions created a clinical committee; however, very few regions have a registry of conscientious objectors. During the study period, the average annual rate in Spain was 11.10 elective abortions per 1000 women between 15 and 44 years of age, showing a decreasing trend (annual percentage change of −1.92%). Only 10.67% of abortions were performed at public centers. In 90.18% of the cases, abortions were performed at the woman’s request. Conclusion: Spain legislated late compared to most European Union countries. The current law is similar to that of other member states, allowing abortion at the woman’s request in the first fourteen weeks and thereafter for medical reasons. Most abortions are performed at private centers, although many territorial inequalities are observed.

Suggested Citation

  • Amada Pellico-López & María Paz-Zulueta & Jimena B. Manjón-Rodríguez & Mar Sánchez Movellán & Purificación Ajo Bolado & José García-Vázquez & Joaquín Cayón-De las Cuevas & Laura Ruiz-Azcona, 2022. "Evolution of Legislation and the Incidence of Elective Abortion in Spain: A Retrospective Observational Study (2011–2020)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-11, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9674-:d:881632
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Levels, Mark & Sluiter, Roderick & Need, Ariana, 2014. "A review of abortion laws in Western-European countries. A cross-national comparison of legal developments between 1960 and 2010," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(1), pages 95-104.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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