[Law 194 on voluntary abortion]

Between June 1978 and January 1979 300 abortions were performed at the Bassini hospital in Milano, Italy; they were the first abortions performed after the promulgation of law 194 which made abortion legal in Italy. This number represented 57% of the number of requests for abortion during that period. Only 3% of abortions were performed before the 8th week of gestation; 19% of women were below 20, and 10% were minors. 39% of patients had not even completed elementary school education; 29% were housewives. Socioeconomic reasons represented 51% of all motivation for abortion; the partner was favorable to the decision in 90% of cases. Contraceptive practice prior to abortion was ineffective in 95.7% of patients; 40% of patients were young nulliparae, and 60% women with high parity. The Italian law does not contemplate, as yet, a follow-up visit after abortion.