Biography
Biography: Mison Bashara
Abstract
Background: In Israel, four criteria allow for legal abortion: women's age <17 or >40, fetal malformation, danger to the woman's health, unmarried woman or caused by rape.
Research Objective: To understand why women seek abortion, so as to build appropriate prevention/intervention programs.
Research Type: Cross-sectional study. Research Population: 102 women who applied to the Committee for Termination of Pregnancy at Galilee Medical Center, January-December 2013.
Research Instruments: Questionnaire examining violence experienced by the woman, use of contraceptives, and motives for abortion. Findings: The mean age of the women was 28.75±7.25 years. Reason for seeking abortion: poor economic situation 53.7%, violence in the home 13.7%. 91.7% reported a poverty-level monthly income no income at all. 42.6% of women who experienced violence in the home had had previous abortion, as opposed to 36.8% who did not experience violence. 57.1% did not use contraceptives regularly. 21.5% cited the prohibitive cost of contraceptives. 18% of participants noted the importance of their attending nurse's presence at the Committee for Termination of Pregnancy.
Conclusions: The major reasons for abortion, poor economic situation and violence in the home, are not included in the legal criteria for abortion. There is a need to re-think public policy on cost of contraceptives and to educate the public on contraceptive use. Violence in the family is more likely to be identified if a nurse is present at the Committee for Termination of Pregnancy. Also, a nurse should advise on the purchase of contraceptives and instruct on their use.