Characteristics of women applying for a legal abortion in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

BACKGROUND

Legal abortion has been permitted in the Islamic Republic of Iran since 2003 if there is serious and incurable disease that would cause the mother or the fetus suffering.

AIMS

This study evaluated the characteristics of women applying for a legal abortion licence to the Tehran Province General Office of Legal Medicine, and compared the findings with earlier studies to evaluate changes over time.

METHODS

All women visiting the office between August 2011 and 2012 to apply for a legal abortion licence were interviewed and sociodemographic data, reason for the application and outcome of the application were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 1378 women applied for a licence, and 48% were issued. Most applications (80.6%) were for fetal rather than maternal indications and 90.2% of the licences issued were for fetal indications. Most of the applications for fetal indications (53.7%) were granted a licence, while 75.7% for maternal indications were rejected. Neurological abnormalities in the fetus were the most common reason for the application (24.6%) and licences issued (30.7%). Neurological and psychological disorders were the most common maternal reason in all applications (25.7%) and in unsuccessful applications (28.6%). Cardiac disease (23.1%) was the most common maternal reason in successful applications.

CONCLUSIONS

Comparison of the results with those of earlier studies shows an increase in the number of women applying for a legal abortion licence and in the number of licences issued. Similar studies are recommended to provide information on the effect of national abortion laws and help improve the legal abortion process in the Islamic Republic of Iran.