Title: The impact of induced abortions on fertility in Israel.

POPLINE Document Number: 081251

Author(s):

Sabatello EF

Source citation:

Social Science and Medicine, 1993 Mar;36(5):703-7.

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to determine whether the incidence of legal, induced abortion had any effect on the already high fertility rate (TFR) in Israel in 1988 and 1989. Abortion is permitted for 1) women under the legal marriage age of 17 years or over 40 years, 2) as a result of rape or incest or out of wedlock, 3) suspected physical or psychical malformation of the fetus, and 4) possible danger to a woman's health. 28 public or private hospitals are granted permission to perform abortions. The general abortion rate has shown a steady decline from 18-20/1000 in 1979-83 to around 15/1000 in 1987-89. Abortions for ground 3 have risen over 10 years, and declined for ground 4. Data pertain to applications for legal abortion (AFLA). 16,200 out of 18,000 abortion requested were approved in 1989 and 15,200 were actually performed. Refused abortions might constitute black market abortions. From AFLA rates, the total abortion rate (TAR) is approximated. In 1988, the TAR was 543/1000 women aged 15-44 years or a little more than 1:2 women in a reproductive lifespan. The adjusted TAR is .600-.620 abortions/woman in a lifespan. TAR was 15% of known pregnancies in 1988 with higher percentages in the teens and over 40 years; i.e., 33% among teenagers, >40% among those over 40 years, and 10% among those 20-34 years. The ratios of age specific AFLAs and TFRs, and TAR and TFR shows for those over 40 years to be 3 abortions to 4 births. For teenagers the ratios are 5 abortions to every 10 births. For those 20-34 years the ratio was 1-1.5 abortions for every 10 births, and for those 35-39 years 3 for every 10 births. The analysis of AFLAs for grounds 1 and 2 shows nontherapeutic TAR to be in a ratio of 1 to every 3 women in a lifespan or .31 or .36. If all nontherapeutic abortions were avoided, then the total fertility rate would be increased 10-12% . Since women use abortion for birth spacing, the continued pregnancy would probably replace a future pregnancy. Biologically, 1 abortion does equal 1 birth because one could have 3 abortions in the time span of 1 pregnancy. Also, an intentional abortion if continued could result in miscarriage or stillbirth. The TFR of 3.06/woman in 1988 would have reached 3.3 if pregnancies were aborted only for therapeutic reasons, which is very low. Efforts to prevent abortions should be directed to young women and new couples.

Keywords:

Israel
Research Report
Total Fertility Rate
Abortion
Middle East
Developed Countries
Fertility Rate
Birth Rate
Fertility Measurements
Fertility
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Fertility Control, Postconception
Family Planning