Knowledge about abortion law among young women in Iran

Abstract

Young women are at risk of attempting abortion because of their tendency to delay childbearing. In legal limitation for abortion, low information about abortion laws and consequences of un-safe abortion can result in that women refer to illegal providers. This study investigated knowledge of young women about abortion laws, its complications and their consent with intentional abortion. Near to 50% of participants were not informed about national abortion legislation and its criminal law, and more than 66% of participants were not aware of unsafe abortion conse quences. Of them 16% believed that abortion must not be allowed at all, and 47% expressed that legal facilities for safe abortion should be pro ved. High education and importance of using contraceptive were the most important variables in correlation with more information about abortion law and consequences. Providing information for women abo ut abortion laws and complication should be more emphasized to prevent unsafe abortion especially in women with lower age and education.