[Abortion in Latin America. Induced abortion and its causes]

Although abortion legislation is restrictive in Latin America, the limited available data confirm the region¿s high volume of abortion. The average number of abortions per woman in Latin America is around 1.5, according to estimates of various authors. Abortion contributes an estimated one-fourth of deliberate fertility control in the region. Abortion rates depend on the degree of motivation for limiting births and the availability and use of contraception. The motivation for smaller families preceded widespread introduction of modern contraception into Latin America. Fertility began to decline before 1960 in a few countries and declined more rapidly thereafter, due principally to induced abortion. The decline continued as contraceptive usage increased rapidly and substantially in the 1970s and 1980s. Abortion rates remained high, basically because the desire for smaller families was widely diffused, while barriers of different kinds hampered access to modern contraception. Inadequate contraceptive supplies, restricted choice of methods, lack of access for women who are poor or single or adolescent, misguided fears about health effects, and poor understanding of the operation of health services may all constitute obstacles to contraceptive use. Contraceptive failure is not infrequent and is another factor in the persistence of abortion. Even within the framework of restrictive legislation, steps could be taken to reduce the problem of abortion: improving the supply and availability of contraceptives, improving the quality of services, promoting sex education, and improving the status of women.