[Abortion: a public health or a family planning problem]. / Aborto: un problema de salud publica o de planificacion familiar.

PIP: This work discusses various views of abortion and presents data on the legal aspects and incidence of abortion in Mexico as a contribution to a more productive dialogue on the problems of abortion. It is very difficult to deter women who have decided to seek an abortion, regardless of whether the procedure is legal or even safe. In the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, an abortion has not been punishable since 1939 if it caused by "imprudence", if the woman is a victim of rape, or if the woman's life is endangered by pregnancy. The penal codes of most Mexican states and the Federal District contain similar provisions. In October 1990, the state of Chiapas decriminalized abortion for most indications in the 1st 90 days of pregnancy on the basis that the fertility and growth rates were too high, many children were in situations of extreme poverty, and the widespread practice of illegal abortion led to high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. The decree legalizing abortion in Chiapas was suspended in early 1991 by the Congress of Chiapas and is currently under further study by the National Commission on Human Rights. UNICEF estimates that in 1990, some 100,000 illegal abortions occurred daily in the world. 150,000-200,000 women may die each year as a result of illegal abortions. Today some 300 million couples throughout the world do not want more children but lack access to family planning. UNICEF estimates that the world rate of population growth would decline by 30% if all couples not desiring children practiced effective contraception. A large number of illegal abortions are believed to occur annually in Mexico. Abortions in Mexico are most common among married women of lower or lower middle class who already have children and who wish to avoid the economic hardships of a new baby. Perhaps because of their illegality, abortions represent a significant expense for a household. Unsafe abortions may cause serious health and fertility problems for women. The Mexican Institute of Social Security estimates that the rate of abortion has declined by about 25% between 1982-1990. Currently 1 of every 10 pregnancies is believed to end in induced abortion. Family planning programs have led to declines in the rates of both pregnancy and abortion in Mexico. The number of fertile-aged women attended in Social Security facilities for abortion complications declined from 11.5/1000 in 1982 to 8.8 in 1990. The extremes of opinion about whether abortion should be made safe and legal appear irreconcilably opposed. From a national perspective, abortion is a public health problem that needs to be addressed by the health sector. Existing laws permitting abortion under some circumstances should be made more explicit. The point of view of society should be respected, but women should also be protected.^ieng