Australian attitudes to early and late abortion.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate community attitudes to abortion, including views on whether doctors should face sanctions for performing late abortion in a range of clinical and social situations.


METHODS
An anonymous online survey of 1050 Australians aged 18 years or older (stratified by sex, age and location) using contextualised questions, conducted between 28 and 31 July 2008.


METHODS
Attitudes to abortion, particularly after 24 weeks' gestation.


RESULTS
Our study showed a high level of support for access to early abortion; 87% of respondents indicated that abortion should be lawful in the first trimester (61% unconditionally and 26% depending on the circumstances). In most of the clinical and social circumstances described in our survey, a majority of respondents indicated that doctors should not face professional sanctions for performing abortion after 24 weeks' gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that a majority of Australians support laws which enable women to access abortion services after 24 weeks' gestation, and that support varies depending on circumstances. Simple yes/no polls may give a misleading picture of public opinion.
de Crespigny
Lachlan J
LJ
Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. lachlandec@yahoo.com.au
Wilkinson
Dominic J
DJ
Douglas
Thomas
T
Textor
Mark
M
Savulescu
Julian
J
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011639:Public Opinion; D055815:Young Adult