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Brazil: Difference between revisions
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'''OVERVIEW''' | '''OVERVIEW''' | ||
In Brazil, contraceptives are legal and no prescription is required. You | In Brazil, contraceptives are legal and no prescription is required. You can buy emergency contraceptives at pharmacies and there are no age restrictions. Menstrual pads and tampons (mostly without applicators) can be found, and select local businesses carry menstrual cups. Nearly all major hospitals and clinics offer STD/STI test -- and, if you are a legal citizen or resident, you can get these tests done free of charge. You can access most medication in Brazil, and there have been some trials for PrEP. However, it is not clear if PrEP or PEP are universally available. | ||
Regarding gynecologists, there are some well-renowned, international hospitals as well as cheaper, though more inefficient, public ones. Keep in mind that abortion is not legal in Brazil except for some extremely specific cases. So, it is advised to seek out abortions in other countries in the Americas, such as Mexico, the United States or Cuba, if at all possible. If this is not an option, you may be able to access the abortion pill in Brazil (see "Abortion" section for details). Check out the [[Rio de Janeiro]] page for details on local city resources. | Regarding gynecologists, there are some well-renowned, international hospitals as well as cheaper, though more inefficient, public ones. Keep in mind that abortion is not legal in Brazil except for some extremely specific cases. So, it is advised to seek out abortions in other countries in the Americas, such as Mexico, the United States or Cuba, if at all possible. If this is not an option, you may be able to access the abortion pill in Brazil (see "Abortion" section for details). Check out the [[Rio de Janeiro]] page for details on local city resources. | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Brazil, you need a prescription to | In Brazil, you can buy emergency contraception (the morning after pill, or "pilula do dia seguinte" in Portuguese) without a prescription. Technically-speaking, it appears that you do need a prescription, according to Brazilian law,<ref>[http://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/brazil/ EC Status and Availability: Brazil]</ref> but this doesn't seem to be enforced. Many pharmacists sell EC pills over-the-counter. There are no age restrictions. In most of the country, EC is fully legal but, in the municipality of Margina (Parana), EC is provided only in cases of rape.<ref>[http://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/brazil/ Brazil: EC Status & Availability]</ref> In 2007, in an effort to reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions, Sao Paolo began offering emergency contraception in metro stations. These efforts inflamed social conservatives and religious groups, and one city council unsuccessfully tried to ban the morning after pill.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1120/p07s02-woam.html Christian Science Monitor: Brazil doles out 'morning after' pills]</ref> | ||
In the late 1990s, many Brazilian pharmacists remained unaware of EC specifics. According to a study, "Nearly all respondents (98%) had heard of emergency contraception, but many lacked specific knowledge about the method. Some 30% incorrectly believed that emergency contraception acts as an abortifacient, and 14% erroneously believed that it was illegal. However, 49% of physicians who thought that the method induces abortion (which is largely illegal in Brazil) and 46% of those who thought that emergency contraception was itself illegal have provided it to clients. Most surprisingly, while 61% of respondents report having provided emergency contraception, only 15% of these physicians could correctly list the brand name of a pill they prescribed, the dosage and regimen, and the timing of the first dose."<ref>[Emergency Contraception: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Among Brazilian Obstetrician-Gynecologists]</ref> | In the late 1990s, many Brazilian pharmacists remained unaware of EC specifics. According to a study, "Nearly all respondents (98%) had heard of emergency contraception, but many lacked specific knowledge about the method. Some 30% incorrectly believed that emergency contraception acts as an abortifacient, and 14% erroneously believed that it was illegal. However, 49% of physicians who thought that the method induces abortion (which is largely illegal in Brazil) and 46% of those who thought that emergency contraception was itself illegal have provided it to clients. Most surprisingly, while 61% of respondents report having provided emergency contraception, only 15% of these physicians could correctly list the brand name of a pill they prescribed, the dosage and regimen, and the timing of the first dose."<ref>[Emergency Contraception: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Among Brazilian Obstetrician-Gynecologists]</ref> | ||