Heilbrigðisskýrslur - 04.12.1985, Page 162

Today, the majority of women stay only one day in the hospital while
undergoing an abortion. This applies especially to Reykjavík. From
1976-1980, 2-4 days was the most common length of stay. In recent
years, the size of the group staying five days or more has decreased
from 30% in 1976 to 4% in 1982.
The law 25/1975, on sterilization led to increased incidence of
sterilization. The number doubled from 201 in 1975 to 439 in 1976 and
in the period of 1975-1983 more than 4300 sterilizations were
performed, mostly on women (95%). About 13% of the sterilizations were
performed combined with abortion procedures.
The articles of the law 25/1975 on counselling and sex education have
only been partially implemented. Measures have been taken to increase
and improve sex education especially in the primary schools. At higher
school levels and for the general public sex education is limited and
unorganized.
Discussion
Despite the significant increase in the number of abortions permitted
in the wake of the new legislation, it is difficult to assess the full
effect of the law, without further information on previous illegal
abortions and procedures performed abroad. The introduction of certain
social conditions as acceptable grounds for abortion, brought about
new trend as e.g. in 1982 almost nine out of ten abortions were
performed on social indications only. The characteristics of the women
obtaining abortion have also changed. Before, older and married women
with high parity, was the largest group, but today, women under 25
years of age, unmarried, and with low parity predominate. The new
legislation may have played a role in these shifts together with
changed public attitude towards childbirth and abortion.
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