[The role of induced abortion in changing fertility in Latin America]

The data and estimates presented suggest that the incidence of induced abortion in Latin America is high. In individual countries the average total abortion rate, ie lifetime induced abortions, seems to be between one and two per woman of fertile age, if not higher. The incidence of induced abortion in Latin America appears to be among the highest in the world, comparable to several East Asian and East European countries. Apparently the practice of induced abortion was already quite extensive in urban Latin America in the 1960s at a time when the use of contraception was low. As of the 1980s, induced abortion accounts for about one quarter of deliberate fertility control, and contraception for the remaining three quarters. The high incidence of induced abortion is due to an imbalance between the strong motivation for smaller families and the imperfect availability and utilization of contraception. The motivation for smaller families is widespread and contraceptive prevalence has been increasing steadily since the 1960s, yet many barriers exist to its universal and effective application. Contraceptives are not always available when needed; frequently access is difficult, particularly for young, single, and poor women and men; knowledge about reproductive functions and contraceptives is deficient and erroneous among large proportions of women; and at times the use of contraception is at odds with deeply in grained cultural and social patterns, as well as with personal sentiments. For these and other reasons, contraceptive failure is not uncommon. Consequently, the incidence of unwanted pregnancy is high and many women/couples resort to induced abortion.