A N Aiyer1, G Ruiz, A Steinman, G Y Ho. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To survey attitudes about abortion in a sample of physicians practicing in the Bronx, New York, identify factors associated with those attitudes, and investigate how attitudes about abortion influence willingness to do it. METHODS: A questionnaire mailed to obstetricians and gynecologists affiliated with a medical school in the Bronx elicited information on attitudes about abortion and the willingness to do it. Attitude scores were measured on a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5, with 5 indicating a proponent attitude about abortion. The practice score ranged from 0 to 2, with 2 indicating proponent attitude about practicing abortion. RESULTS: The median attitude score was 3.8. Physicians were receptive to reasons for abortion that were medically indicated. A proponent attitude was found in non-Catholics and those who were trained in residency programs that required observing abortions. The median practice score was 1.2. The most important personal factors influencing a physician's decision not to perform abortions included lack of proper training and ethical and religious beliefs. There was a significant positive correlation between the attitude score and practice score (r = .42, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Personal beliefs and past experience with abortion are associated with attitudes about abortion that, besides competence doing them, influence physicians' willingness to do them. Offering training in abortion might benefit physicians who are proponents and willing to perform abortions.
OBJECTIVE: To survey attitudes about abortion in a sample of physicians practicing in the Bronx, New York, identify factors associated with those attitudes, and investigate how attitudes about abortion influence willingness to do it. METHODS: A questionnaire mailed to obstetricians and gynecologists affiliated with a medical school in the Bronx elicited information on attitudes about abortion and the willingness to do it. Attitude scores were measured on a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5, with 5 indicating a proponent attitude about abortion. The practice score ranged from 0 to 2, with 2 indicating proponent attitude about practicing abortion. RESULTS: The median attitude score was 3.8. Physicians were receptive to reasons for abortion that were medically indicated. A proponent attitude was found in non-Catholics and those who were trained in residency programs that required observing abortions. The median practice score was 1.2. The most important personal factors influencing a physician's decision not to perform abortions included lack of proper training and ethical and religious beliefs. There was a significant positive correlation between the attitude score and practice score (r = .42, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Personal beliefs and past experience with abortion are associated with attitudes about abortion that, besides competence doing them, influence physicians' willingness to do them. Offering training in abortion might benefit physicians who are proponents and willing to perform abortions.
Keywords:
Empirical Approach; Genetics and Reproduction
Authors: Colleen C Denny; Michele B Baron; Lauren Lederle; Eleanor A Drey; Jennifer L Kerns Journal: Contraception Date: 2015-05-18 Impact factor: 3.375
Authors: Vanessa K Dalton; Lisa H Harris; Jason D Bell; Jay Schulkin; Jodi Steinauer; Melissa Zochowski; A Mark Fendrick Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2011-03-17 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: Melissa G Rosenstein; Jema K Turk; Aaron B Caughey; Jody E Steinauer; Jennifer L Kerns Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2014-02-01 Impact factor: 8.661