Exploring abortion knowledge and opinion among lawyers, an important yet overlooked stakeholder group in Mexico.
Lawyers are important actors shaping the abortion debate in Mexico. Of 250 private and public sector criminal lawyers surveyed from four regions, the majority knew about abortion laws in their states. At least 80% agreed with abortion in cases of rape, risk to a woman's life or health, and fetal malformations. Overall, 61% agreed with the Mexico City law and 84% would defend a woman denied a legal abortion. In multivariate analysis, being very knowledgeable of abortion laws was a significant predictor of more "progressive" abortion opinions, support for the Mexico City law, and support for the health indication.
Population Council, Mexico City, Mexico.
Kate S
KS
Wilson
Sandra G
SG
Garcia
Claudia Díaz
CD
Olavarrieta
Stephanie M
SM
McMurtrie
Jorge Armando
JA
Valencia
Fernanda
F
Diaz de Leon
Maria Luisa
ML
Sanchez Fuentes
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033241:Lawyers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D017149:Private Sector; D011639:Public Opinion; D017150:Public Sector; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult