title: Knowledge and attitudes about abortion legislation and abortion methods among abortion clients in Latvia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess knowledge of abortion legislation and knowledge and attitudes about medical and surgical abortion among women seeking a legal abortion in Latvia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data are drawn from a survey of 371 abortion clients from 16 purposively selected abortion clinics in Latvia. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and information on women's knowledge of and attitudes toward abortion law and abortion methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most women knew that abortion is legal either under any (53%) or certain (37%) circumstances. Almost one third (31%) of women interviewed were aware of medical abortion. After hearing a description of medical abortion, respondents felt the method as described would be advantageous because it could avoid a surgical intervention (33%) or found it simple, easy, convenient, or natural (12%). Women were concerned that the method might not be completely effective (38%) or be associated with side-effects (22%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Respondents were interested in medical abortion as a less invasive option to surgical abortion. Efforts should be undertaken to inform women about the safety and efficacy of the method.
authors.affiliation: Latvia's Association for Family Planning and Sexual Health, Riga, Latvia.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Melgalve
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lazdane
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Trapenciere
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shannon
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bracken
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Winikoff
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007844:Latvia; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors