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Chinichian M, Holakoic Nainie K, Rafaie Shirpak Kh. Voluntary abortion in Iran: a qualitative study. Payesh 2007; 6 (3)
URL: http://payeshjournal.ir/article-1-701-en.html

Objective(s): Voluntary abortion is one of the main causes of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite the legal ban and the existing socio-cultural obstacles, women still are contemplating abortion in Iran. The goal of this study was to examine the reasons for voluntary termination of pregnancy.
Methods: Using qualitative methods we performed 36 focus group interviews with women from different ethnic groups, i.e. Balouch, Turk, Torkaman, Arab, Fars, Kord, Guilak, Lor, and Mazandaran. We also performed 54 individual in-depth interviews with gynecologists, midwives, and other people who were somehow connected with the issue of abortion- such as non-trained birth attendants. To minimize the possibility of being affected by other ethnicities (through physical closeness), interviews for each ethnic group were conducted within its main area of residence.
Results: The principal reasons for having an abortion were divided into four categories: rubella vaccination, maternal disease, fetal defects, and unplanned pregnancy. Among these, unwanted pregnancy was the most important factor leading to abortion in the setting of a wide range of unfavorable conditions, particularly financial constraints. Religious beliefs were cited as the main reason for refusing to have an abortion. Conclusion: Since unplanned pregnancy is one of the main reasons for abortion, new legislation would not be enough for preventing the majority of induced abortions, but it could reduce the number of unsafe abortions due to maternal disease and/or fetal defects.