Therapeutic abortion in Nicaragua and El Salvador, maternal mortality and the millennium goals

Abstract

The total prohibition of therapeutic abortion is an issue that has not allowed providing medical care with quality to pregnant women. The subsequent maternal mortality is one of the consequences of this policy. The objective of this documentary research was to explore how the prohibition of abortion will influence maternal mortality. We used a qualitative methodology based on literature review that addresses the issue before and after the abortion law changed. The thesis was built with primary and secondary sources, and was critically analyzed to be compared with data within the country and between countries. The main findings were that maternal mortality was not affected by the prohibition of abortion, but was further reduced in both countries; however, it’s still high compared to other nations. Among other factors, the abortion law is one of the causes of maternal mortality. According to the government, the Millennium Development Goal number five was achieved by El Salvador, while in Nicaragua the achievement of this goal still remains slow. Within these categories there are similarities, differences and debates that persist, since the abortion, whether therapeutic or not, it’s still a controversial issue in many countries.