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Attitudes of Rural Thai Women Towards Induced Abortion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Robert G. Burnight  and
Boonlert Leoprapai
Robert G. Burnight
Affiliation:
Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Boonlert Leoprapai
Affiliation:
Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Summary

Questions concerning their attitudes towards induced abortion in six different circumstances were asked of 1254 rural Thai married women, aged 15–44, in a 1972 nationwide fertility survey. A positive response was given to one or more of the questions by nearly three-fifths of the women; the largest proportion of positive responses (42·0%) was given by women if the pregnancy resulted from rape, and 40·1 % responded affirmatively if the pregnancy might endanger the health of the woman. The lowest proportions, but still nearly one-fifth of the women, were in favour of abortion if the couple do not want another child or if they cannot support another child. Responses are analysed in relation to the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the women and their husbands, to fertility and family planning experiences, and to the women's communication activities. Comparisons of the results are made with similar data from rural South Korea, rural US and suburban Thailand. The study suggests that positive attitudes towards induced abortion among Thai rural women reflect traditional values, not recent ‘modernization’ ones.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 9 , Issue 1 , January 1977 , pp. 61 - 72
Copyright
Copyright © 1977, Cambridge University Press

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