Heilbrigðisskýrslur - 04.12.1985, Page 159

ENGLISH SUMMARY
Recognizing the need for a follow-up on the practice of the new
Icelandic abortion law from 1975, a survey was conducted. Information
was primarily obtained from applications for abortions, performed
between the years 1976 and 1982. (Preliminary information for 1983 is
also included). The survey reveals the changes that have occurred
regarding the incidence of abortion, the reasons for authorization,
the profile of the women, and the procedure. This publication provides
results and discussion of the survey. In addition, it gives a review
of abortions in Iceland and describes the old and new abortion laws.
Sterilization and the status of sex education is discussed.
Iceland was the first of the Nordic countries to legalize abortion in
1935. This law authorized abortion when life or health of the pregnant
woman was at stake. In 1938 another statute was passed (16/1938)
authorizing abortion also on eugenic, or fetal indication as well as
in cases of rape. On May 22nd, 1975, new and more liberal law on
abortion, sterilization and sex education, was issued (25/1975),
making social indications alone acceptable grounds for abortion as
well as medical, eugenic and juridical indications. This law reguires
abortion being performed preferably within 12 weeks of pregnancy.
After the 16th week, abortions are allowed only for medical reasons
and with the approval of a special supervisory committee.
From 1935 to 1960, on the average, 50 legal abortions were performed a
year, increasing to 82 in the next decade from 1960 to 1970. Then the
number increased drastically and continued to do so in the wake of the
new legislation in 1975. The annual average for performed abortions
was 203 in the period, 1971-1975, 472 in 1976-1980, and 632 in
1981-1983.
As can be expected not all applicants for abortion go through with the
procedure. In Landspítalinn, Reykjavik, where three out of four
abortions in Iceland are performed, 371 women withdrew their
application during the period 1976-1983, 75 were denied an abortion
but 3216 underwent the procedure.
157