Protection of Conscience Project
Protection of Conscience Project
www.consciencelaws.org
Service, not Servitude

Service, not Servitude

Are State Doctors in the Western Cape willing to implement the Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1996?

An opinion survey conducted in the Western Cape in November 1997. In fulfillment for the requirements of the FCOG (S.A.) part 2.

Tables

Reproduced with permission



Table 1 - Results- Profiles 1

Responders Actual % age
Spec 26 42 62
Registrar 23 40 58
MO 61 103 59
GP 48 123 39
Missing 11
N = 169 308 54.9

Table 2 - Profile 2- will this change in 1998?

Percentage of Respondents
Post Feb 97 Post Jan 98
Specialist 100 96
Registrar 91 96
Medical Officer 69 74
Gen Prac 96 98

Table 2A - Gender

Absolute Numbers of Respondents
Female Male
Specialist 6 20
Registrar 7 16
Medical Officer 24 37
Gen Prac 5 43

Table 3 - Type of Institution

Absolute Numbers
Specialist 15 9 2
Registrar 20 1 2
Medical Officer 15 31 12
Gen Prac 1 13 33

Table 4 - TOP Training 1

% of Respondents (Missing 9)
Specialist Registrar Medical Officer Gen Prac
TOP's 81 70 31 25
MVA 81 96 57 38
Cerv Rx 88 92 33 27
Probs 100 100 78 73
? Course 22 22 25 27

Table 7 - TOP Training 2- Counselling

Percentage of Respondents
Specialist Registrar Medical Officer Gen Prac
Pre-TOP 62 30 10 6
Post-TOP 65 17 8 6
Workshop Attendance? 31 22 8 4

Table 8 - TOP Training 3- Training

0 <5 5-10 >10
Since Feb 97 7 131 17 5
Type of Institution
Trainees now 51 58 51

Table 9 - TOP Service Offered

n=31

Full 2 7 0
Limted - 3 4
Nil - 8 7

Table 10- Out of Hospital Referrals for TOP

Private Sector 20
NGO (Marie Stopes) 26
State Hospital 78
Crisis Preg Centres 16
Not Referred 26
23 Missing Results

Table 10A - Opinions - 1

Percentage of Respondents
Male Female
No TOP at hospital 41 57
No TOP anywhere

11

11

Table 11 - Doctors Who Will Not Refer TOP Applicants

Percentage of respondents
Missing = 59
To another doctor 12 17 25
Refuse to see 13 14 11

Table 12 - Should TOP service have . . .

Percentage of Respondents
Separate venue? 76 53 51
Separate staff? 71 60 53

Table 13- Drs. Preparedness to do TOPs

Limited (Counselling only) 51%
Specialist Registrar Medical Officer

GP

Full

10

12

9

5

Limited 14 8 33 29
Nil 2 3 19 14
Totals 26 23 61 28

Tables 14, 15 - Late TOPs 12-20 Weeks

Percentage of respondents willing to do TOPs
Table 14 Table 15
Willing Late > 12 Weeks TOPs Categories
1. 77% Lethal congenital abnormalities (anencephaly)
2. 50% Non-lethal correctable abnormalities (TOF)
3. 50% Non-lethal uncorrectable abnormalities (Downs)
4. 70% Rape
5. 70% Incest
6. 68% Psychiatric cases
7. 81% Maternal death potential
8. 70% Permanent maternal organ damage threat
9. 30% Adverse socio-economic situations


Table 16 - Doctors Who Will Continue a TOP Started by Others

Percentage of Respondents (45 Missing)
Threatened 58 33 44
Inevitable 74 57 88
Incomplete 92 59 85

Conserve Mx: 40% will admit, sedate and Rx pain!


Table 17 - Consultation Re: TOP Act of 1996

Percentage of Respondents
Ever consulted?
Missing = 6
24.5%
Ever informed of rights to refuse?
Missing = 33
30.1%