Ethical aspects of legal abortion from the viewpoint of pregnant women referring to the forensic medicine center in Iran

Abstract

Background: Abortion has always been one of the most challenging issues in societies. Women's decision for having a legal abortion has always been influenced by factors such as their spouse, family, society, culture and religious beliefs. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the ethical aspects of legal abortion from pregnant women's viewpoints, referring to Iran's forensic medicine center. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study conducted in 2019. The research samples consisted of pregnant women referring to forensic medicine in Isfahan for obtaining legal abortion permission. Using a convenience sampling method, 229 subjects were selected. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: In the present study, the highest and lowest mean score of ethical aspects belonged to the variables of autonomy (36.20±3.01) and justice (17.24±2.45), respectively. The mean scores of the ethical aspects of legal abortion were not significantly different between mothers with a wanted or unwanted pregnancy. Conclusion: women's autonomy in having a legal abortion had the highest score, while the lowest score belonged to justice in legal abortion.