title: Physicians and abortion: provision, political participation and conflicts on the ground--the cases of Brazil and Poland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Two qualitative studies have been conducted between 2002 and 2009 in Poland and Brazil, two different geopolitical settings in which the Catholic Church has had a significant political influence and where abortion is highly restricted. In both countries, struggles for abortion rights have played an important role in challenging the current restrictive policies and bringing attention to the plight of women unable to obtain abortions. This article examines the political role that physicians play in these contestations, drawing on some findings of two larger qualitative studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  In Poland semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 physicians in Warsaw and Krakow and with 55 women aged 18 to 45 in Gdańsk. In Brazil questionnaires were administered and semi-structured interviews conducted with 22 obstetrician-gynecologists and 23 health professionals in two public maternity hospitals in Salvador da Bahia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This article argues that gynecologists' perspectives and practices not only reflect or heed religious precepts on reproductive rights, but are also deeply influenced by inadequate medical training and by the fear of being prosecuted or stigmatized, especially in Brazil. The political non-engagement of physicians in Poland is driven by the lack of abortion rights discourse in the public arena, poor links with women's rights groups, and the lack of political unity within the medical community.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comparisons between Brazil and Poland ultimately suggest that strong liaisons between physicians and the feminist movement influence physicians' attitudes and political engagement and are most promising in abortion rights advocacy efforts.
authors.affiliation: Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Zordo
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mishtal
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001938:Brazil; D002410:Catholicism; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007878:Legislation as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010819:Physician's Role; D011044:Poland; D057766:Policy; D011057:Politics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011639:Public Opinion; D046269:Reproductive Rights; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult