Population Council Research that makes a difference

Abstract

Experiences of women accessing legal abortion in Mexico City 
Poster presentation at the American Public Health Association 137th Annual Meeting & Exposition, Philadelphia, 9 November
van Dijk,Marieke G.; Sanhueza,Patricio; Flores Villalon,Antonio; Chavez,Lorena; Garcia,Sandra G.
Publication date: 2009


Background
In April 2007, abortion in the first 12 weeks of gestation was legalized in Mexico City. Over 19,000 women from Mexico City and other states have been treated since. The procedure is offered in one public health clinic and 12 public hospitals of the Ministry of Health (MOH). Furthermore, there are several private clinics that offer abortion services. We are finalizing a qualitative study of the experiences of women who had legal abortions in Mexico City.

Methods
We are conducting 25 in-depth interviews with women who had an abortion on their experiences in a public clinic and two private clinics. We started the field work in September 2008 and will finish the interviews by the end of February 2009. The data will be transcribed, coded, and analyzed using the software Atlas-ti.

Results
Our preliminary findings are based on 15 interviews in the public health center. Participants expressed high satisfaction on the abortion services offered. The women knew about the services through the Internet, a governmental telephone line, or friends. None had doubts about her decision to do an abortion, and the counseling provided was perceived as adequate. Participants felt treated with respect and taken into account, even if the choice for the abortion procedure (surgical or medical abortion) was made by the physician. Most accepted contraceptive methods postabortion.

Conclusions
Women's experiences with the legal abortion services in the public health center were very positive. They recommended opening more, similar health centers providing legal abortion services.

Learning objectives
(1) Describe the main aspects of the new abortion law in Mexico City; (2) Describe the experiences of women having had legal abortions in a public health center in Mexico City; (3) List the main recommendations regarding access and quality of the services provided.