The abortion issue in Serbia

Objectives To investigate the causes of the persistently high abortion rate in Serbia. Methods We analysed the legal aspect of abortion, related health care regulations and policies, and social environment, as primary factors, and knowledge, attitudes and practice of health care providers and clients, as secondary determinants of the large number of induced abortions. Results A complex array of factors accounted for the high abortion prevalence. The main ones are easy access to induced abortion coupled with substantial obstacles to efficient use of contraception, insufficient relevant knowledge about and a resistance to modern contraceptives among women and men in need and health care providers, a firm social basis for traditional birth control, and limitations in the family planning programme. Conclusions The persistence of a high abortion rate in Serbia appears to be due to many underlying causes, which have changed little over time. The future of this issue will depend on the introduction of a modern concept of family planning at the political, educational and health care level.