Eight in 10 Americans support restrictions on abortions, according to a new poll released last week.

The poll was conducted by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion among 1,686 U.S. adults from Nov. 15 to 22 on abortion issues, according to CNS News.

Of those surveyed, 44 percent said they are pro-life, 51 percent are pro-choice and 5 percent said they are unsure.

"Most Americans, 81 percent, agree there should be significant restrictions and safeguards associated with the procedure including limits to within the first three months of pregnancy, allowed only in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother, or never permitted," according to the poll.

A total of 89 percent of pro-life supporters said abortion should be allowed, at most, in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother, or never permitted. On the other hand, 66 percent of those who describe themselves as pro-choice say abortion should be allowed, at most, in the first trimester, in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother, or never permitted.

Six in 10 Americans said abortion is "morally wrong" including 33 percent of pro-choice supporters while 37 percent said it is "morally acceptable."

A total of 12 percent said abortion should be available to a woman any time during her entire pregnancy while 8 percent agreed for the first six months of pregnancy.

Twenty-four percent said it should be available during the first three months of pregnancy and 32 percent said only in cases of rape, incest, or to save the mother's life. Only 13 percent said the procedure should be available to save the mother's life and 12 percent said it should never be permitted under any circumstance.

In addition, 55 percent said abortion would do a woman more harm than good including 27 percent of pro-choice.

The survey found 61 percent of Americans including 62 percent of pro-choice support laws to ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy except to save the mother's life.

Nearly seven of 10 Americans oppose taxpayer funding for abortion including 51 percent of pro-choice. Only 29 percent support it.

Half of those surveyed believe health care providers and organisations should have the right to opt out of providing abortion services if they have moral objections including 34 percent of pro-choice.

"It is time for a new national conversation on abortion — one that begins with this consensus in favour of restrictions: a consensus that American women and men have already reached, and that includes a majority even of those who call themselves pro-choice," said CEO Carl Anderson of the Knights of Columbus, which commissioned the survey.