Anxious about the possible effect of Zika on their developing fetuses, pregnant women in Latin America where the virus is spreading increasingly are seeking abortions, according to new research.
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In virtually every country in South America, Central America and the Caribbean where abortion is restricted and authorities have issued Zika warnings, internet requests for abortion medications soared by at least 36 percent – and as much as 108 percent – after the Pan American Health Organization issued a Zika alert. “Women who are pregnant or who might become pregnant do not have full access to clear and accurate information about the risks of Zika virus in pregnancy or safe and legal abortions”. The increase was biggest in Brazil, where there were 1,210 requests for abortions between late November 2015 and early March 2016.
When they analyzed the emails and online consultation forms filled up by the women requesting the medication, the researchers also found that many women felt anxious about getting access to abortion in countries that restricted it. Even though abortion laws are different in the US than in many Latin American countries, Dr. Christine L. Curry, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Miami, foresees similar challenges.
Analysis from other countries, which did not advise against pregnancy, suggested smaller increases in abortion demand.
The spread of Zika has prompted a spike in the demand for abortions in Latin America, a conservative region where the procedure is largely prohibited, according to a new study published on Wednesday.
An estimated 1600 babies with microcephaly that was probably caused by Zika have been born since the start of the Latin American outbreak, and the vast majority of these were in Brazil.
That made Aiken wonder, “What are the impacts of these advisories and of Zika on what women want to do?”
Overall, the only countries that experienced a significant increase in abortion requests were those where the government issued a health advisory.
Demand for the abortion pill spiked in the seven countries now suffering from Zika outbreaks, following warnings issued previous year that the virus causes birth defects. Researchers from the United States and UK set out to see whether that PAHO alert had an influence on the number of women in impacted countries seeking abortion.
“It seems as though as though women were responding not only to the threat of Zika but to the advisories issued by their governments”, says Aiken.
Women in poor areas whose pregnancy is more advanced have few options. Venezuela’s requests grew by more than 93%, Honduras by almost 76%, Colombia by almost 39% and Costa Rica and El Salvador by about 36%. That means even women with access to a doctor or clinic may not be able to get birth control, said Alejandra Colom, who works in Guatemala for the Population Council, which studies family planning.
“Regardless of the fact that you can go to jail for having an abortion in many of these countries, it’s not surprising that women and girls would turn to clandestine avenues to procure abortions”, Klasing said.
The abortion pills can also be bought directly from underground providers.
The new study “provides alarming insight on how the Zika virus is affecting the lives of pregnant women”, said Thomas Gellhaus, president of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, in a written statement.
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“It isn’t enough for health officials just to warn women about the risks associated Zika – they must also make efforts to ensure that women are offered safe, legal, and accessible reproductive choices”.
