Unsafe abortion: social determinants and health inequities in a vulnerable population in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

This cross-sectional population-based study in a peripheral low-income community in São Paulo, Brazil, aimed

Prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of women with induced abortion in a population sample of São Paulo, Brazil

“…in 2003, the maternal mortality ratio in Brazil, obtained from reported deaths, was 51.7 maternal deaths per 100,000 liveborn infants (li), and the official and adjusted maternal mortality ratio was 72.4 per 100,000 li, corresponding to 1,572 maternal deaths 6 . Because abortion is considered a crime under the criminal code and of other deficiencies in the notification system of maternal deaths there is massive under-reporting of these, although the maternal death has been declared of compulsory notification in 2003 6,7 . Despite the sharp decrease in maternal mortality in Brazil of 21% in 2011, referred by the Ministry of Health 8 , the country is still far from achieving the proposed target of reducing by 3/4 (three quarters), between 1999 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio 9 .…”

Spontaneous and induced abortion trends and determinants in the Northeast semiarid region of Brazil: a transversal series

“…18 Besides the direct effect of unmet demand on unwanted pregnancies and induced abortion, adequate use of contraceptive methods is closely linked to women education level, which means that women with better education have the necessary knowledge to choose the method that best fits her and therefore to use it consistently. 19 Another important finding in our study is the association of induced abortion with not having a partner. The same association was not found for spontaneous abortion.…”

Abortion and sex-related conditions in substance-dependent Brazilian patients

“…Abortion is influenced by several factors such as socioeconomic status, gender, educational level, income, religion, moral values and beliefs and also by alcohol and drug use 44 . However, very few studies have investigated the relationship between abortion and socioeconomic status in a substance user Brazilian sample 4,20 .…”

“…The largest portion of this sample is at the margins of the formal labor market, a fact which aggravates psychosocial vulnerability and needs to be taken into account since lack of employment and poor professional experience result in low access to health services and information 20,29,44 . Programmes and health services might not yet be prepared to recognize the specific needs required by this population 10,47 .…”

“…To complete the death vulnerability profile we must add youth and those with low income. In other words, those who are able to pay for illegal abortion are less likely to have complications or die 9,20 .…”