Geographical Distance, Socioeconomic Deprivation, and Educational Level Shape Access to Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy in a Southern Region of Italy.

ABSTRACT: Background: In Italy, voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) is a legally protected healthcare service. However, in Apulia, a southern region, access remains uneven due to ongoing healthcare rationalization, which has reduced service availability, particularly in decentralized areas. Conscientious objection among providers may also contribute, although the number of VTPs per provider has decreased over time. This study examines whether women access VTP services outside their healthcare catchment area (CA) and how socioeconomic deprivation and individual factors may influence mobility. Methods: We applied a ranking method, based on spatial and temporal distance between hospitals and municipalities to define the catchment area (CA) around hospitals of the Apulia region that o

SUBMITTER: Bartolomeo N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12427977 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature