Ethical Abortion among Pregnant Women Attending Abortion Decision-making Committee in Erbil Maternity Teaching Hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24086/cuesj.v9n2y2025.pp74-79Keywords:
Induced abortion, ethical abortion committee, abortion law, maternal health, fetal anomalies, Kurdistan region, reproductive rights, unsafe abortionAbstract
In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, abortion is legally permitted only to save a woman’s life, requiring approval from a medical committee and spousal consent. This restrictive framework raises public health concerns by pushing women toward unsafe alternatives. The aim of this study is to characterize women applying for legal abortion in Erbil, identify determinants of committee decisions, and document pregnancy outcomes. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 pregnant women who applied to the Ethical Abortion Committee at Erbil Maternity Teaching Hospital (September 2024–August 2025). Data from interviews and records were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. The results show the committee approved 121 (60.5%) of 200 requests. Decisions were significantly influenced by the indication for termination (P < 0.001). Requests for severe fetal anomalies were frequently approved, whereas requests citing maternal health conditions – the sole legal ground for abortion had a low approval rate (36.6%). Consequently, 116 pregnancies (58.0%) were terminated. Second-trimester requests were significantly more likely to be approved and terminated than first-trimester requests (P < 0.001), reflecting a system driven by the timing of anomaly detection. Under the KRG’s restrictive law, the committee pragmatically expanded its remit to approve terminations for lethal fetal anomalies while being overly cautious in applying the explicit maternal life exception. With nearly 40% of applicants refused care, the findings highlight an urgent need for policy reform, including clearer clinical guidelines for maternal health indications. This study contributes empirical evidence to global debates on the application of abortion law, ethics, and practice in restrictive settings.
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