A QUESTIONNAIRE BASED STUDY ON THE RECENT AMENDMENTS IN MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY (MTP) ACT 2021 AMONG RESIDENTS IN A MEDICAL COLLEGE & HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, originally enacted in 1971, was amended in 2021 to expand access, enhance reproductive autonomy, and align with advancements in medical practice. These amendments include extended gestational limits, inclusion of unmarried women, streamlined consent protocols, and strengthened confidentiality provisions. Awareness of these changes is critical among resident doctors, who serve as frontline providers in reproductive healthcare. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted between April and August 2022 at Saveetha Medical College & Hospital, Chennai. A validated questionnaire assessing knowledge of the 2021 amendments to the MTP Act was administered to 100 resident doctors (interns). Results: Participants had a mean age of 22 years, with 54% females and 46% males. General awareness of the MTP Act was high (81%), and most participant’s recognized key indications for MTP (94%) and consent requirements (90%). However, knowledge gaps were noted regarding provider qualifications (11%), Medical Board approval (70%), and confidentiality protections (11%). Female participants demonstrated slightly higher awareness in several domains, including confidentiality and consent procedures. Conclusion: While baseline awareness of the MTP Act is satisfactory, specific knowledge gaps regarding the amended provisions persist among residents. These findings underscore the need for enhanced medico-legal education as part of residency training to ensure safe, ethical, and legally compliant abortion care.