The closer you are, the better you understand: the reaction of Brazilian obstetrician-gynaecologists to unwanted pregnancy.

In Brazil, abortion is legally restricted but highly prevalent. The objective of this study was to obtain data on the opinions of obstetrician-gynaecologists regarding abortion and to verify whether there is consistency between their personal opinion with respect to abortion and their private decision when confronted personally with an unwanted pregnancy or with a request for abortion from a patient or relative. A structured questionnaire was sent to obstetrician-gynaecologists, members of the Brazilian Federation of Gynaecological and Obstetrical Societies (FEBRASGO). A total of 4261 physicians responded, a 30% response rate. Almost a quarter of female physicians and a third of male physicians had had an unwanted pregnancy, and 80% of these were aborted. Even among those for whom religion was very important, almost 70% chose abortion when personally faced with an unwanted pregnancy Twice as many respondents accepted abortion as a solution for themselves or their partners as for their patients. The difference was much smaller only if the physician had personally experienced abortion. Thus, the closer physicians are to the problem of abortion, the greater their understanding that there are circumstances under which abortion is the best or only alternative. We expect the publication of these data to contribute towards liberalisation of the abortion law in Brazil.