Table 1.
Research Settings and Studies
| Research Setting |
Study Objectives | Methods and Sample Size | Study Population | Family Planning and Abortion Policies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | To determine incidence of pregnancy outcomes and explore perceptions of fertility regulation | Secondary analysis of quantitative data (n = 1,066); in-depth interviews (n = 83) | Reproductive-aged couples in rural communities | Government promotion of family planning since 1971; menstrual regulation* legal since 1979 |
| Mexico City | To assess patient perceptions of the quality of care of newly legalized, public sector abortion services. | Surveys (n = 402); in-depth interviews (n = 30) | Adult women (aged ≥18) who had abortions at 3 public sector sites | National family planning program started in 1977; first-trimester abortion legalized in Mexico City in 2007; abortion remains highly restricted in other Mexican states |
| Philippines | To explore perceptions of unintended pregnancy, abortion, and abortion decision making | Focus group discussions (n = 9); in-depth interviews (n = 66) | Reproductive-aged adults (aged ≥ 21) living in a metropolitan area | Catholic Church and former president (Arroyo) oppose modern contraception; limited government support for and subsidization of contraceptives; abortion is illegal, with limited exceptions† |
| Poland | To understand contraceptive use and the knowledge and perceptions of clandestine abortion | In-depth interviews (n = 55); surveys (n = 458) | Adult women (age 18–40) living in a metropolitan area | Catholic Church opposes modern contraception; state has eliminated contraceptive subsidies; abortion is illegal with limited exceptions |
| Zanzibar | To understand contraceptive use and consequences of unwanted pregnancy | In-depth interviews (n = 50); surveys (n = 200); focus group discussions (n = 15) | Women (age ≥16) who had induced or spontaneous abortions; men and women ≥18 | Government promotion of family planning since 1985; abortion is illegal with limited exceptions |
*
Menstrual regulation uses manual vacuum aspiration to evacuate the uterus during the first 12 weeks after a delayed menses, often times without the confirmation of pregnancy status (Amin, 2003).
†
Abortion may be obtained legally in the Philippines “if it is necessary to save a woman’s life”; however, many doctors are unwilling to perform the procedure, given the potential for severe penalties (Singh et al., 2006).