Attitudes of Health Care Providers to Induced Abortion in Pakistan

Background: Though the Penal Code of Pakistan makes provision for abortion if the life of the mother is endan-gered, yet the fact that no data is available concerning legally induced therapeutic abortion, indicates restrictive interpretation of the law by the medical profession. There is considerable difference of opinion regarding med-ical indication for termination of pregnancy among practicing gynecologists in Pakistan. It was, therefore, pro-posed to carry out a survey of health care providers ' attitudes towards induced abortion, their awareness of abor-tion laws of the country and views regarding the existing laws. Methods: One hundred and fourteen health care providers were interviewed to study their attitudes to induced abortion and existing abortion laws. Out of them, 92.1 % had come across cases of abortion during one month preceding the interview. Results: The majority of health care providers (67.3%) had an unfavorable attitude to induced abortion. Only 25 % favored induced abortion. All health care providers were aware of the abortion laws of the country and 46.5 % did not think that any change was necessary. Only 37.7 % wanted the law to be changed. Surprisingly 80.9 % of those, who wanted the law to be changed, said that the existing law was too liberal and this should be made more strict. Only 19.1 % wanted the abortion law to be liberalized. Conclusion: Inspite of restrictive legal status, a large number of abortions are conducted in the country. The ground realities call for liberalization of abortion laws. Since liberalization of laws will not be possible without the support of Ulema (religious scholars) and politicians, they should be apprised of the gravity of this situation JPMA 53:293;2003)