Young adults' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior about abortions in young women.
OBJECTIVE
To document opinions and decision-making strategies of young adults regarding abortions for young women.


METHODS
Eighty-nine male and 215 female college students completed a questionnaire on abortion during routine visits to their university health center.


RESULTS
Among the salient findings, most respondents took a pro-abortion stance for girls under 18 in cases of rape (92% of students), incest (90%), or danger to the girl's health (90%). A much lower priority was given for abortion in cases of fetal abnormalities (55% of students), economic hardship (51%), or for girls who were married (55%). Abortion was considered acceptable regardless of circumstances by 46% of students and never a good idea by 18%. The outcome of unplanned pregnancies for minors should be decided by the girl (90% of students), partner (55%), parents (29%), and state or federal law (8%). Abortions for minors should require parental notification (45%) or consent (33%). Although only one student felt illegal abortions were safe, 19% would seek this kind of abortion and 4% of females would try to cause their own miscarriage if abortions were outlawed in the United States.


CONCLUSIONS
The vast majority of young adults believed that girls under 18 should retain the right to decide the outcome of their pregnancy and should not be subjected to governmental restrictions. The highest priority for abortion was given to girls who had been victimized or whose health was at risk. Although nearly all respondents are aware of the hazards of criminal abortions, many would resort to such unsafe practices if legal alternatives were no longer available.
Gondor
M
M
Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York, Health Science Center at Syracuse 13210, USA.
Cavanaugh
R M
RM
Henneberger
P K
PK
Keenan
D
D
Lebish
C L
CL
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009518:New York; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health