This study was done to describe temporal and geographical trends in the utilization of in-facility second-trimester abortion services across Mexico.
SAEH was used to identify second-trimester abortive events in public hospitals across Mexico’s 32 states. We described utilization, calculated rates using population data, and used logistic regression to identify woman- and state-level factors associated with utilization of second-trimester versus first-trimester services.
145 956 second-trimester abortions were identified. The annual utilization rate of second-trimester abortion remained constant. Women living in highly marginalized municipalities had 1.43 higher odds of utilizing abortions services in their second versus their first trimester. Living in a state with a health or fetal anomaly exception to abortion restrictions was not associated with higher utilization of second-trimester abortion services.
The study concluded through its findings that there is a need for all types of second-trimester abortion services in Mexico. To improve health outcomes for Mexican women, especially the most vulnerable, access to safe second-trimester abortion services must be ensured through the implementation of current legal exceptions and renewed attention to the training of healthcare providers.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/45/4/283
