Abstract
El acceso al aborto legal de las mujeres embarazadas por violación en la ciudad de México [Access to legal abortion for women who become pregnant as a result of rape in Mexico City]
Lara,Diana K.; Garcia,Sandra G.; Strickler,Jennifer; Martinez,Hugo; Villanueva,Luis
Gaceta Médica de México 139(suppl 1): S77-S90
Publication date: 2003
Objective
The aim of this study was to describe the process for obtaining a legal abortion as the result of rape in Mexico City, the characteristics of women who become pregnant as a result of rape, and access to legal abortion services.
Methodology
We conducted six interviews with staff from institutions that serve victims of rape and analyzed 231 medical records of women who became pregnant as a result of a rape and who sought services at a Mexico City hospital from 1991 to 2001.
Results
The process of obtaining authorization for a legal abortion is bureaucratic. Pregnancy rate as a result of a rape in this sample was 13.9%; for women 20 years of age or younger the rate was 66%. In 22.3% of cases, the woman obtained a legal abortion. The most important factor in legal abortion access was gestational age at first hospital visit.
Conclusions
Access to legal abortion in the case of rape is limited. When women are successful in obtaining authorization for a legal abortion, it is often after the first trimester and the majority of physicians refuse to perform the procedure.
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