Factors affecting attitudes towards medical abortion in Lithuania.

OBJECTIVE

Surgical abortion in Lithuania is governed by a 1994 ministerial decree that made it legal for any woman 16 or older. This article seeks to determine the key demographic factors in Lithuanian attitudes towards medical abortion, which is currently not legal.

METHODS

A random sample of the adult population was asked if they supported medical abortion. The dependent variable of attitude towards medical abortion was tested against the eight independent variables reported for each respondent using Chi-square tests and odds ratios. The effects of the variables upon each other were tested with two logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Among the respondents, 62.6% supported access to medical abortion. The independent variables of urban/rural residence, employment status and educational level significantly affected opinion. Overall, education level provided the strongest odds ratio for support of medical abortion.

CONCLUSION

The majority of the Lithuanian population supports the legalisation of medical abortion. There is somewhat less support for it in rural areas, among those who are least educated and in certain nonworking population groups. Lithuanian policy-makers should consider responding to popular sentiment and legalising medical abortion.