Investigation of the prevalence and causes and of legal abortion of teenage married mothers in Iran

Characteristics and Indications of Legal Abortion among the Pregnant Women in Lorestan Province of Iran during 2017–2019

Background. Legal abortion is a challenge from the viewpoint of ethics and religion. The present study was conducted to investigate the frequency of fetal and maternal indications of legal abortion and also the maternal characteristics in Lorestan Province of Iran. Methods. As a descriptive cross-sectional study, all the cases with issued permits for legal abortion were selected by a census during 2017–2019. Descriptive data analysis was used to report the results. Event rates with Poisson 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated based on the regional population. Results. A total of 305 cases were selected. The mean age of the mothers was 31.61 ± 7.48 years, and the mean of gestational age was 15.76 ± 2.80 weeks. Demographically, most cases were from Khorramabad city (101 cases) followed by Borujerd (51 cases) and Doroud (46 cases). The overall event rate was 1.732 per 10,000 individuals (95% CI: 1.543–1.938) of the general population of the region per 3 years. Fetal disturbance of the brain and spine was the most prevalent reason of abortion (24.92%, 95% CI: 19.63%–31.19%) followed by Down syndrome (19.34%, 95% CI: 14.73%–24.95), hydrops fetalis (12.79%, 95% CI: 9.09%–17.48%), and anencephaly (12.79%, 95% CI: 9.09%–17.48%). Conclusion. From each 10,000 individuals of the population, one to two cases of legal abortion were screened per 3 years. More than 90% of cases had fetal indication. In cities with lower event rates, we should plan for better screening.

Controversial Issues of Abortion License According to Religious and Jurisprudential Laws in Iran: A Systematic Review

Background :

Increase in the number of unwanted pregnancies has been considered to be among the health indices of the society. A large number of children, illegitimate children, and undesirable fetal gender might increase the prevalence of illegal abortions.

Objective:

The present study aimed to investigate the abortion license according to religious and jurisprudential laws in Iran.

Methods:

In this review, the related articles were found through searching of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, SID, and Magiran databases as well as Muslim authorities’ sites using the following keywords: ethics, religious, abortion, and Islamic jurists’ fatwas, without any time limitations.

Results:

The majority of Islamic jurisprudents have considered abortion to be forbidden and nonreligious at any stage of development in case there is no justifiable reason. In case of fetal anomalies or threats to the mother’s life, abortion is allowed, based on the jurisprudential law (al-'usr wa el-haraj) and written permission by the department of forensic medicine. However, abortion is not permitted after ensoulment to the fetus, according to all scholars, with the exception of a few jurisprudents.

Conclusion:

The prohibition of abortion, in the view of most jurists, is not an absolute issue and might include exceptions. According to jurisprudential laws (al-'usr wa el-haraj), the prohibition of abortion has been abolished. Harassment and conflict in maternal-fetal life can also provide a license for abortion.