Abstract
Background
Little is known about abortion practice in Mexico postlegalization of abortion in
Mexico City in 2007.
Study Design
In 2009, we anonymously surveyed 418 Mexican health care providers at the Colegio
Mexicano de Especialistas en Ginecologia y Obstetricia meeting using audio computer-assisted
self-interview technology.
Results
The majority of respondents were obstetrician gynecologists (376, 90%), Catholic (341,
82%), 35���60 years old (332, 79%) and male (222, 53%) and worked with trainees (307,
74%). Prior to 2007, 11% (46) and 17% (71) provided medical and surgical abortions;
now, 15% (62) and 21% (86) provide these services, respectively. Practitioners from
Mexico City were more likely to provide services than those from other areas. Most
medical abortion providers (50, 81%) used ineffective protocols. Surgical abortion
providers mainly used either manual vacuum aspiration (39, 45%) or sharp curettage
(27, 32%). Most abortion providers were trained in residency and wanted more training
in medical (54, 87%) and surgical (59, 69%) abortion. Among nonproviders, 49% (175)
and 27% (89) expressed interest in learning to perform medical and surgical abortion,
respectively.
Conclusion
Given the interest in learning to provide safe abortion services and the prevalent
use of ineffective medical abortion regimens and sharp curettage, abortion training
in Mexico should be strengthened.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 15, 2011
Accepted:
July 27,
2011
Received in revised form:
July 22,
2011
Received:
December 24,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
