Criminal Aspects of Artificial Abortion This diploma thesis deals with the issue of artificial abortion, especially its criminal aspects. Legal aspects are not the most important aspects of artificial abortion. Social, ethical or ideological aspects are of the same importance but this diploma thesis cannot analyse all of them. The main issue with artificial abortion is whether it is possible to force a pregnant woman to carry a child and give birth to a child when she cannot or does not want to do so, and whether a state can prosecute a pregnant woman or anyone else for interrupting her pregnancy. The thesis is divided into an introduction, seven chapters and conclusion. After a short introduction, the author of this thesis briefly defines the concept of artificial abortion. The following chapter focuses on two ideological groups - pro choice and pro life. The first group prefers mother's right to self-determination. The second group regards a human foetus as a person and considers killing the human foetus as a murder. The third chapter is dedicated to historical development of artificial abortion. The author regards historical development as an important part of this thesis, especially for understanding the current legislation. The fourth chapter analyzes the current legislation, the Abortion Act...

Feminist geographers argue that gendered bodies and power are deeply entwined (McDowell 1992; Rose 1993). However, few geographers have investigated how gender and power interact in relation to the politics of abortion access. This thesis seeks to fill this gap by conducting a feminist content analysis of six newspapers from Florida’s three largest metropolitan areas to determine how articles featuring abortion are framed. Analysis of the dataset concludes that the politicization of the abortion debate results in the erasure of women from the conversation, the identification of a pregnant women trope which homogenizes all women into one category, and Planned Parenthood’s classification as a health care provider being ignored subsumed under a recognition of its role in providing abortion services. Overall this study argues that patriarchal institutions regulate women into compulsory motherhood, thereby constraining their agency and ability to fully participate in society participate in political democracy.

Abstract Each year approximately 11,000 induced abortions are performed in Finland, the majority of these women being younger than 25 years of age. Medical abortion with the antiprogestin mifepristone and the prostaglandin analogue misoprostol is increasingly being used instead of surgical method (dilatation of cervix and uterine evacuation with instruments). Similarly, miscarriages can be treated with medical or surgical management. Still, clinical outcomes of the medical treatment of miscarriage are not well established, and various different regimens exist. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and risk factors of repeat abortions and immediate post-abortal complications, focusing especially on the impact of the method of abortion. National health registries were used as a data source. Another part of the study was aimed at comparing the efficacy, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of the medical and surgical treatment of miscarriage. In national cohort, the risk of repeat abortion was associated with sociodemographic characteristics (parity, previous abortion, low socioeconomic status, being unmarried but cohabiting or single), but not with the method of abortion. The risk of repeat termination of pregnancy decreased with age, among women living in rural area, and when intrauterine devices or sterilization were planned for future contraception. The overall incidence of adverse events was 4-fold greater in the medical compared to the surgical abortion cohort. Hemorrhage and incomplete abortion were more common following medical abortion, but the incidence of infections did not differ. Medical and surgical treatment of miscarriage were compared in a randomized setting; the efficacy of the treatment did not differ. Medically treated patients were less satisfied with the treatment and had experienced more pain. In the cost analysis, the primary costs of the surgical treatment were higher, but more unexpected events and complications increased the secondary costs in the medical group. In summary, medical abortion offered a good alternative to surgical method without increasing the risk of repeat abortions, but with an increased risk of short-term adverse events. The medical method was efficient in treating miscarriages, and the majority of women were satisfied with the treatment. Neither of the methods was economically superior in treating miscarriage.

Background: Despite proven efficacy, Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) use for incomplete abortions is low in the Swaziland setting, including Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital. Uncertainty in the costs implications of introducing MVA to replace Dilatation and Curettage (D&C) is the major hindrance to change. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of introducing MVA as an evacuation method for first trimester incomplete miscarriages as well as assess the implications of the introduction of MVA to the entire post-abortion care budget at RFM Hospital. Methods: The methods comprised cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses from a healthcare perspective based on a theoretical cohort. Clinical outcomes data for procedures were obtained from relevant literature. Costs were collated from prospective suppliers and then compared for the two treatment modalities. Future numbers of annual evacuations were extrapolated from previous annual figures. First trimester miscarriages were in turn extrapolated from proportions found in previous studies. Total budgets were calculated under the current scenario, as well as if MVA had to be introduced. Results: With initial capital costs of ZAR11 093.00, introduction of MVA for first trimester incomplete abortions will cut post-abortion care costs by 34.7%. MVA would cost ZAR819.86 per procedure while D&C costs ZAR1 255.40 per procedure. An estimated 26 MVA procedures done instead of D&C will compensate for the initial capital investment. Introduction of MVA into the post-abortion care programme will save the hospital about ZAR516 115.30 annually, with at least similar clinical outcomes compared to D&C. Conclusions: MVA should be considered as the first option in first trimester post abortion care. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Clinical Epidemiology / unrestricted

Master of Science / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Karen S. Myers-Bowman / This is a review of the body of literature about teenage sexuality, pregnancy, abortion, parent-adolescent communication, and parental involvement laws. The literature review focused on current United State's policies on teenage abortion and the effects of parental involvement laws and judicial bypass. A review of other nations' policies regarding teenage sexuality, pregnancy, and abortion and the outcomes of these policies is given and compared to the policies of the United States. Proponents' reasons for parental involvement laws are explored. Current research on the effects that parental involvement laws have on adolescents and their families, adolescents' abilities to make informed decisions about abortion, and characteristics of teenage girls who choose abortion is reviewed. The need for more research on teenage sexuality, parent-adolescent communication, and the effectiveness of parental involvement laws are identified. Implications for family life educators for the prevention of teenage pregnancy as well as interventions for family life educators in the event of adolescent pregnancy and abortion are provided. Implications for the need to review current parental involvement policies and the need to apply research to these policies are also recommended.

LL.M. / The right to life, which is guaranteed in section 11 of the Constitution, is a particularly important right in South Africa, especially seen in the light of the human rights violations of the apartheid-era. Firstly, this study conducts an analysis of the right to life and attempts to establish who the bearers of the right are; what the protected conduct and interests of the right are; who is bound by the right and what their responsibilities are; and whether the right can legitimately be limited in terms of section 36 of the Constitution. However, when we analyse the right to life in this way, certain problematic and controversial issues become apparent. Two of these issues are discussed in this study – namely abortion and euthanasia and assisted suicide. Before these issues can be adequately addressed, however, the study takes a stance on the value of human life, which forms the moral framework for the discussion of the specific issues. However, the primary focus of the study is the analysis of the specific issues relating to the right to life. The terminology relevant to the respective issues is discussed and the current legal position, including relevant case law and legislation, with regard to the issues is indicated. The arguments, counter arguments and alternative approaches to the issues are discussed and criticized, and consideration is given to the question to what extent the right to life, in cases of abortion and euthanasia, can legitimately be limited if the principled stance regarding the value of human life is accepted. In addition, some other jurisdictions’ experiences of and responses to these issues are also discussed. Finally the study concludes that human life (in all its forms) deserves the full respect and protection of the law, regardless of the quality of life or the capabilities of the individuals whose lives are at stake. Furthermore it is submitted that the state and every member of society has a special responsibility to respect and protect the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our community – instead of suggesting ‘quick fixes’ to desperate people.

M.Ed. / New legislation on the termination of pregnancy (Number 92 of 1996) was approved by President Mandela on 12 November 1996, and came into effect on 1 February 1997. This law allows any pregnant woman above the age of 12, thus including adolescents, to decide to have her pregnancy terminated. Furthermore, the adolescents do not need parental permission to have their pregnancies terminated. The question arising from this is the following: how do the parents, and more specifically the mother, experience the termination of their adolescent daughter's pregnancy? To explore and describe the feelings of these mothers, qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research was utilized in two phases. During Phase I, in depth phenomenological interviews were conducted. During Phase II logical inference was used to generate guidelines for educational psychologists to enable them to assist and guide these mothers whose adolescent daughters had had their pregnancies terminated. The research showed that the following themes were observed recurringly: > Shock, disillusionment and internal conflict due to the decision to have the pregnancy terminated. > Sorrow due to overwhelming emotions after the termination of the pregnancy. > Helplessness due to the inability to deal with the course of events. > Mechanisms of defense in an attempt to protect themselves. The guidelines that have been set, are as follows: > Setting of goals and rational emotive therapy. > Guidelines regarding unconditional acceptance of the mother, the verbalising of emotions and the addressing of irrational thoughts. > Guidelines to empower mothers to assist both themselves and their daughters. > Guidelines to assist mothers to apply the mechanisms of defense in a positive way.

[pt] O presente estudo busca analisar as concepções e atuações dos assistentes sociais na atenção às mulheres com demanda por interrupção da gestação prevista em lei e nos serviços de saúde do município do Rio de Janeiro que são referência para o atendimento às mulheres em situação de violência sexual. Trata-se de uma pesquisa com abordagem qualitativa, cujos instrumentos utilizados para produção de dados foram a análise de documentação institucional e a entrevista do tipo semiestruturada, realizada com nove assistentes sociais, todas do sexo feminino, que trabalham em três maternidades que atendem mulheres em situação de violência sexual. As entrevistas foram gravadas em MP3 com o consentimento das entrevistadas, nos meses de fevereiro e março de 2014, e tiveram duração total de 206 minutos. Para discussão dos dados utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo em sua modalidade temática. Os resultados apontam para uma invisibilidade tanto pública quanto interna desse tipo de serviço no município estudado, limitando o acesso das mulheres a esse direito assegurado por lei. Prevalece, dentre os sujeitos da pesquisa, uma concepção da interrupção da gestação prevista em lei como um direito da mulher e de que o assistente social deve envidar todos os esforços para sua garantia, apesar de enfrentar dificuldades como a ausência de preparo e abordagem sobre a temática durante a graduação e o desconhecimento em relação à legislação vigente sobre o aborto legal e a forte influência dos valores ético-religiosos na postura dos profissionais de saúde que comprometem o acesso das mulheres a esse direito. / [en] This study assesses the views and actions of social workers in the care of women with demand for termination of pregnancy provided for by law in the health services in the city of Rio de Janeiro that are reference to the assistance to women in situations of sexual violence. This is a research with qualitative approach, whose instruments used for the production of data was the institutional analysis and documentation of the semi-structured interview of the type held with nine social workers, all female, working in three hospitals that serve women in situation of sexual violence in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The interviews were recorded in MP3 with the consent of the interviewees in the months of February and March 2014 and had total duration of 206 minutes. For discussion the data use the content analyses the subject modality. The result shows a public and intern invisibility for this services in this municipality, with limitate the women access for a law right. The research subjects prevalence a conception the pregnancy interruption previous in law with a woman right and the social work obligation to guarantee this right, despite the social workers have some difficulties like no prepare or approach during the graduation about this subject and unknowing with current legislation about legal abortion and an ethical religious values influences the health professional attitude and implicate the women access a this right.

Cette thèse tentera de démontrer, dans un premier temps, si les idéologies religieuses conservent une grande importance aux États-Unis, et ce, malgré la sécularisation apparente de la société. Une analyse du processus politique qui est à l’œuvre dans la mobilisation et l’action du Christian Coalition – organisation de la nouvelle droite chrétienne – permet de cerner la place qu’a le religieux dans la sphère publique, et plus particulièrement, dans la sphère politique. Plus spécifiquement, nous observerons les stratégies et les actions que le C.C. entreprend dans le but d’exercer des pressions et d’influencer les débats et le pouvoir politique, tout en déterminant la nature des enjeux qui motivent une mobilisation pour ce groupe protestant conservateur. Une évaluation basée sur le courant des mouvements sociaux illustrera la mesure dans laquelle la nouvelle droite chrétienne détient une partie du pouvoir social et jouit du rôle d’acteur politique par son institutionnalisation dans la sphère politique.

Understanding the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is important for a greater understanding of the current state of sexual and reproductive rights of Palestinian women. Constant military occupation has been a determining factor hindering the development of comprehensive and coherent health policies and programmes. As a result of the Oslo Accords and the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement in 1994, the Palestinian National Authority was granted limited authority over portions of the West Bank and Gaza. In 2007-2008 a multi-national, multi-disciplinary study team undertook a national study to assess the reproductive health content of nursing education and identify gaps in curricular coverage and implementation. One component of this project included exploring final year nursing and midwifery students’ attitudes toward a range of sexual and reproductive health issues. This thesis analyzes these data and explores the demographic factors, including gender, region, and residence, associated with nursing and midwifery students’ attitudes toward abortion and contraception-related laws and policies. Our findings suggest that there is a considerable need to incorporate values clarification exercises as well as structured sessions dedicated to laws and policies governing sexual and reproductive health into the formal curricula of programs in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Our results also shed further light on the dynamics shaping abortion and contraception attitudes among health professions students in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.