Explanatory notes

Symbols of United Nations documents composed of capital letters combined with figures. Different symbols have been used in the tables in this report as follows: Two dots (..) indicate that data is not available or not separately reported. A long dash (-) indicates that the population is less than 500 people. A dash (-) indicates that the item is not relevant. A minus sign (-) before a figure indicates a decrease. A period (.) Used to indicate decimals. Use of a hyphen (-) between years, for example, 1995-2000, means the full period, from 1st July in the beginning year to 1 July this year end. Details and percentages in tables do not necessarily add to totals because of rounding. Countries and areas are grouped geographically into six major areas: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America and Oceania. The main areas are further divided geographically into 21 regions. Additionally, for statistical convenience Regions classified as belonging to one of two general groups: more developed or less developed regions. The less developed regions comprise all regions of Africa, Asia (excluding Japan), Latin America and the Caribbean, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. The more developed regions comprise Northern America, Japan, Europe and Australia / New Zealand. The group of LDCs currently comprises 48 countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea , Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome andPrincipe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Yemen and Zambia. The following abbreviations are used in this volume: ASFR age-specific fertility rate CDC U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CFA Communaut Financire Africaine GCC Gulf Cooperation Council HIV human immunodeficiency virus IPPF International Planned Parenthood Foundation Spiral Spiral PAHO Pan American Health Organization PROFAMILIA Asociacin Pro-Bienestar de la Familia Colombiana (Colombia)

Asociacin Pro-Bienestar de la Familia (Dominican Republic) TFR total fertility UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund USSR, the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics WHO World Health Organization Country Profiles: DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS OF VARIABLES

This chapter contains a detailed description of the variables are identified on the first page of each country profile. An attempt was made to provide comparable data for each country. Abortion laws can be complex and diverse, and therefore considerable room dedicated to the description of the encoding of the legal grounds for abortion. The section on abortion policy sets out the grounds on which abortion is permitted and it is followed by a short paragraph describing any additional conditions required by law. The causes and consequences of induced abortion varies from one country to another. To capture some of these differences are explanations of a number of reproductive health indicators listed below. In the background section that follows each country profile, abortion policies and their national context that is described in further detail.

A. abortion policy 1st Land which abortion is permitted The most frequently cited cases in which abortion is permitted, include the following: a) intervention to save the woman (life reasons); b) Maintaining the physical health of woman (narrow health reasons); c) Retaining the mental health of woman (general health reasons); d) Termination of pregnancy caused by rape or incest (legal basis); e) Suspicion of fetal impairment (fetal defect); f) termination of pregnancy for economic or social reasons (social issues). These are the causes of abortion, which is encoded in the first part of each country's profile. Some countries may recognize additional grounds for abortion, including the presence of the mother of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), at the age of the mother when the pregnant woman is a minor, or contraceptive failure.These categories have only limited applicability, and they are not coded in this variable. However, the detailed descriptions in the background section of the country profiles. The exact wording of many laws differ significantly, and therefore variations in language and interpretation of each of the reasons also discussed in detail on the other side. When it is clear that the policy deviates from the exact wording of the law is an asterisk placed next to the item indicates that the legal or official interpretation usually allows

abortion to be performed on these specific grounds. For example, in countries where the performance of an abortion is specifically prohibited under all circumstances, but when performing an abortion to save the life of the pregnant woman is allowed under the general criminal law principle of "necessity", "save livesWomen "are encoded as allowed, but is followed by an asterisk. In the limited number of countries where abortion laws are determined at local level rather than at national level, the coded law are marked with an asterisk and an explanation is given below.Where local laws apply, a detailed description of this situation arising in the "Background" in the text. (A) intervention to rescue the woman The performance of abortions are most commonly allowed due to saving lives, the pregnant woman. Although some countries provides detailed lists of what they consider to be lifethreatening situations in general, these situations are not specified, but left to the Judgement of the doctor or doctors who perform and / or approval of the performance of abortions. Almost all countries allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the pregnant woman either expressly or under the general criminal law principle of necessity. Exceptions may include Chile, El Salvador and Malta, all of which have changed their abortion laws to eliminate provisions that allow the performance of abortions on certain grounds. But even in these countries, it is unclear whether a defense of necessity would be rejected by a court in the extreme case of a threat to the life of a pregnant woman. (B) Conservation of the physical health of the woman In most countries, abortion is permitted when necessary to preserve the physical health of the pregnant woman. The term "physical health", however, been defined in various ways. In some countries, the definition is narrow, often extensive lists of terms considered to fall under this category, and in other countries, the term "physical health" is broadly defined, which gives much room for interpretation. Whenever possible, it is permissible range interpretations reviewed in the text. General puts the countries of the British Commonwealth a broader definition of health than African or Latin American countries observe civil law. In some countries, making abortion the law does not specify whether the term "health" includes both physical and mental health, but simply provides that an abortion is permitted when it averts the risk of damage to the pregnant woman's health. Usually there is a tendency to interpret the health effects to be narrow, referring only to physical health. But since the law does not make such a distinction, both physical and mental health were coded as permitted by an asterisk referring the reader to a footnote explaining the situation. Any differences with the practices discussed in the text. (C) Conservation of the mental health of woman

Many abortion legislation specific provisions for the legal performance of abortions in cases involving a threat to the mental health of the pregnant woman. What constitutes a threat to "mental health", however, varies considerably. In some countries, no definition exists, while in others, most Commonwealth countries, mental health is defined as including emotional distress caused to the children of the marriage or emotional distress caused to the pregnant woman because of her surroundings. In these cases, the country has been coded which allows abortion for socioeconomic reasons (see below). Countries coded which allows abortions to be performed on mental health grounds also include the British Commonwealth countries who have followed the decision of the seminal British decision, Rex v. Bourne, which found that although the law is not specifically allow abortions to be performed for physical or psychological causes, such abortions are considered legal (see above). The extent to which abortion is permitted on the mental health reasons vary from country to country. (D) Termination of a pregnancy caused by rape or incest Allowing abortions to be performed in cases of rape or incest is a common destination of the world's abortion laws. Even in countries with restrictive abortion laws, like the latin American countries, abortion is often allowed on these grounds. Such justifications for the performance of abortions take several forms. Some countries specifically mention rape and incest in their legislation. Other countries refer to these as cases where the pregnancy is the result of a "criminal act", without any specification of the nature of the offense. This formulation of the law is somewhat broader and includes rape (consensual sex with a minor) as well as forced rape and incest. Procedural requirements also vary. Some countries require that the matter be brought to court or reported to the authorities before permission for an abortion can be granted, which deters many women from seeking to obtain an abortion on these grounds. (E) Suspected fetal impairment As is the case with the legal justification for abortion, abortion is often allowed because of fetal renal function in countries with restrictive abortion laws. Several countries specify the type and level of impairment necessary to justify this reasoning. (F) termination of pregnancy for economic or social reasons The wording of the legislation that allows abortion on socio-medical, social or economic reasons vary greatly. Some mention specific social or economic conditions, while others only involve them. For example, in Barbados abortion law provides for determining whether a continuation of the pregnancy would involve a risk of harm to the health of the pregnant woman, the practitioner take into account "pregnant woman's social and economic environment, actual or foreseeable" . In New South Wales, Australia, where similar wording is employed, refer to the social and economic tensions. In other cases, as in South Australia and Belize, social and economic reasons strongly implied: determination of risk of harm to the health of the pregnant

woman must take into account "the woman's actual or reasonably foreseeable environment". Other countries such as Burundi and Ethiopia, which does not allow abortion to be performed on social and economic reasons, but allow such considerations to be taken into consideration in sentencing. Most laws that allow abortion to be performed on social and economic reasons are interpreted quite liberally and in practice is little different from laws that allow abortions on request. (G) Availability on request: abortion permitted on all grounds In countries that permit abortion to be performed on request, is a pregnant woman seeking an abortion is not obliged to justify his desire to have an abortion under the Act. She only needs to find a doctor who is willing to perform abortions. In some countries such as Albania, Belgium and France, she may be asked to indicate that she is in a situation of crisis or distress. This requirement is purely a formality and the decision to have an abortion is still very much his own as long as she finds a doctor who agrees to perform abortions. These countries have been encoded with an asterisk.Even in countries where abortion is permitted upon application deadlines usually set for the performance of abortion, often within the first trimester. After this phase of pregnancy, the woman must present a valid reason for abortion to be permitted. 2nd Additional requirements This section deals with additional procedural requirements that must be met before an abortion can be legally executed. It includes requirements relating to consent, staff were permitted to perform abortions, where abortions can be performed and the deadlines within which abortions can be performed.

B. REPRODUCTIVE health context

1st Government view of fertility level This variable identifies the government's perception of the general acceptance of the national total fertility rate, and it is divided into three categories: unsatisfactory, because too low, satisfactory and unsatisfactory, because too high.

2nd Government intervention concerning fertility level Governmental intervention on the level of fertility are classified as four types: (a) to raise the fertility level (b) to preserve fertility level, (c) lower fertility levels, and (d) no intervention or no policy formulated.

3rd Government policy on the effective use of modern contraceptive methods Four categories of state policy on individual fertility behavior was adopted to categorize countries according to their level of support for modern methods of contraception: (A) The government restricts access to information, guidance and materials related to modern contraceptive methods that would enable people to regulate their fertility more effectively and would help them achieve the desired timing of births and completed family size ; (B) The Government does not restrict access to information, guidance and materials, but provides no support directly or indirectly for their dissemination; (C) The government provides indirect support for the dissemination of information, guidance and materials, by subsidizing the operation of organizations supporting such activities without the government's own services. The indirect support can take different forms such as direct subsidies, tax credits or rebates, or granting of special status; (D) The Government provides direct support to the dissemination of information, guidance and materials in government buildings.

4th Percentage of currently married women using modern contraception The percentage of currently married women aged 15-49 years who use modern contraception provides an indication of the actual availability of contraceptives. Use of contraception is inversely associated with abortion at the aggregate level. A low availability of modern contraception tend to be correlated with a high abortion rates. Conversely, when modern methods of contraception are widely available and used effectively, abortion rates tend to be relatively lower. At the individual level, the use of contraception positively associated with the practice of abortion. Women who have used a contraceptive method at a time on average more likely to resort to abortion than those who have never used any contraceptive method. But women who have abortions are more likely to use contraception than women who have never done it. It has been suggested that contraception increases after an abortion because of the provision of contraception and counseling at abortion clinics. Information about contraception was obtained mainly from representative national sample surveys of women of childbearing age conducted by various governmental and nongovernmental organizations. The data relating to women currently married or in union agreement.

5th Total fertility The total fertility rate (TFR) measures the number of children a woman would have during her

lifetime if she were to follow the current age-specific fertility rates. For most countries, the rates presented here in the medium variant estimates for the period 1995-2000 and are based on available data have been adjusted to reflect prices for the same five-year period.

6th Age-specific fertility rate for women aged 15-19 The age-specific fertility rate (ASFR) for women aged 15-19 is an indicator of the current rates for young fertility. Specifically, the number of births to women aged 15-19 per 1,000 women in this age group. Generally, young fertility has been increasing in several countries in recent years. Many of these young mothers are unmarried, are unable for financial support and may face social disgrace as a result of pregnancy. Therefore, many resort to abortion.

7th Government concern over the morbidity and mortality from induced abortion This variable indicates the government view of existing health complications arising from abortion, and takes any expression of particular concern. The information obtained from the Government's response to the Eighth United Nations Inquiry among Governments on Population and Development in 1998, or from the seventh Inquiry in1992. If a government did not respond to the survey, were the statements of official government documents and publications reviewed for the purpose of determining the government's concern for morbidity and mortality from induced abortion.

8th Government concern about complications of childbearing and childbirth This variable indicates whether the government sees existing health complications arising from pregnancy and childbirth, with particular concern. The information obtained from the government response to the eighth and seventh United Nations Population Fund Inquiries among Governments, conducted by the Population Division. If a government did not respond to the survey, were the statements of official government documents and publications reviewed for the purpose of determining the government's concern about the complications of childbearing and childbirth.

9th Maternal Mortality Abortion represents a large percentage of maternal mortality in developing countries, particularly in patients with highly restrictive abortion laws. According to World Health Organization (WHO), is a maternal death is defined as "the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days after termination of pregnancy regardless of the duration and location of pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes "(WHO, 1974, p. 764, cited in PAHO, 1990). Thus, the

maternal mortality ratio measures the number of maternal deaths in a given year per 100,000 live births during that year. Ideally both this ratio and the proportion of deaths attributable to abortion would be covered. Because abortion is often illegal, are only reported deaths in hospitals, and even then the cause of death is often omitted. This practice greatly underestimates the number of deaths caused by abortion. Given these additional reasons to unreliable data, the proportion of deaths attributable to abortion is not included. Caution should be exercised in dealing with maternal mortality ratios and make comparisons across countries. Under-registration of maternal deaths vary from country to country, as does under-registration of deaths. Even in developed countries like the U.S., maternal mortality is found to be under-recorded by as much as 27 percent (PAHO, 1990). Under-registration of births is also considerable and since the degree of underreporting of births and deaths differ, the direction of bias is also different. Limitation of puerperal period to 42 days also introduces a downward bias.Studies conducted in the U.S. have shown that 16 percent of the "deaths related to pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium is between 42 days and one year later" (PAHO, 1990, p. 119). Given the unreliability of data on maternal mortality and lack of information for many countries, figures for both the country and the region that comes with each country profile. Where both figures are available, and it is believed that the country can get very deficient vital statistics, the regional figures give an idea of the extent of possible bias to the national figures.

10th Female life expectancy at birth Female life expectancy at birth is included as a target for women's overall health. The figure represents the number of years a newborn girl child would live on average if she was exposed to during her lifetime risk of dying was observed for each age group this year. For most countries, all the measures, medium variant estimates for the period 1995-2000, unless otherwise indicated, and therefore allows comparisons between countries.