Knowledge of termination of pregnancy (TOP) legislation and attitudes toward TOP clinical training among medical students attending two South African universities.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
UNLABELLED: Provision of safe, voluntary, termination of pregnancy (TOP) in South Africa is challenged by an insufficient number of TOP-trained clinicians. Medical students' understanding of TOP legality and their attitudes toward TOP training are indicators for future service provision. We administered a 63-item questionnaire to explore these issues at the University of Cape Town and Walter Sisulu University. Ordinary least squares regression assessed predictors of TOP legislation knowledge and training attitudes. RESULTS: Of 1308 students, 95% knew that TOP was legal in South Africa, but few (27%) understood the specific provisions of the legislation beyond 13 weeks' gestation. Sixty-three percent desired more information about TOP. In multivariate models, female, white and sexually experienced students and students more advanced in school had better legislation knowledge (all p < .01). Attending religious services regularly (p < .01) was associated with lack of support for TOP training, whereas being in a relationship (p < .01) was associated with support for TOP training.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Wheeler, SB; Zullig, L; Jungerwirth, R; Reeve, BB; Buga, GA; Morroni, C
Published Date
- 2012
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 14 / 1
Start / End Page
- 5 - 18
PubMed ID
- 23135069
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC5842942
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 1718-3340
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.12927/whp.2013.23050
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- Canada