Voluntary Termination Of Pregnancy Research Articles

Deregulation of miR-324/KISS1/kisspeptin in early ectopic pregnancy: mechanistic findings with clinical and diagnostic implications

Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition for which novel screening tools that would enable early accurate diagnosis would improve clinical outcomes. Kisspeptins, encoded by KISS1, play an essential role in human reproduction, at least partially by regulating placental function and possibly embryo implantation. Kisspeptin levels are elevated massively in normal pregnancy and reportedly altered in various gestational pathologic diseases. Yet, the pathophysiologic role of KISS1/kisspeptin in ectopic pregnancy has not been investigated previously. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes of KISS1/kisspeptin levels in ectopic pregnancy and their underlaying molecular mechanisms and to ascertain the diagnostic implications of these changes. A total of 122 women with normal pregnancy who underwent voluntary termination of pregnancy and 84 patients who experienced tubal ectopic pregnancy were recruited. Measurements of plasma kisspeptins and KISS1 expression analyses in human embryonic/placental tissue were conducted in ectopic pregnancy and voluntary termination of pregnancy control subjects during the early gestational window (<12 weeks). Putative microRNA regulators of KISS1 were predicted in silico, followed by expression analyses of selected microRNAs and validation of repressive interactions invitro. Circulating levels of these microRNAs were also assayed in ectopic pregnancy vs voluntary termination of pregnancy. Circulating kisspeptins gradually increased during the first trimester of normal pregnancy but were reduced markedly in ectopic pregnancy. This profile correlated with the expression levels of KISS1 in human embryonic/placental tissue, which increased in voluntary termination of pregnancy but remained suppressed in ectopic pregnancy. Bioinformatic predictions and expression analyses identified miR-27b-3p and miR-324-3p as putative repressors of KISS1 in human embryonic/placental tissue at <12 weeks gestation, when expression of microRNAs was low in voluntary termination of pregnancy control subjects but significantly increased in ectopic pregnancy. Yet, a significant repressive interaction was documented only for miR-324-3p, occurring at the predicted 3'-UTR of KISS1. Interestingly, circulating levels of miR-324-3p, but not of miR-27b-3p, were suppressed distinctly in ectopic pregnancy, despite elevated tissue expression of the pre-microRNA. A decision-tree model that used kisspeptin and miR-324-3p levels was successful in discriminating ectopic pregnancy vs voluntary termination of pregnancy, with a receiver-operating characteristic area under the curve of 0.95±0.02 (95% confidence interval). Our results document a significant down-regulation of KISS1/kisspeptins in early stages of ectopic pregnancy via, at least partially, a repressive interaction with miR-324-3p. Our data identify circulating kisspeptins and miR-324-3p as putative biomarkers for accurate screening of ectopic pregnancy at early gestational ages.

Les complications des avortements clandestins observées à la maternité de Befelatanana, Antananarivo

Introduction. Clandestine abortion is still frequent in Madagascar and is a public health problem. The complications are numerous and the mortality is still high. Our objectives are to describe the epidemiological aspects, to cite the abortive means used and to report its complications. Patients and methods. This is a retrospective descriptive study from 1st january to 31st december 2011 of illegal abortions at the maternity of Befelatanana, Antananarivo. Results. We had recorded 124 cases. The age groups were between 25 and 45 years; 51.61% were legally married and 41.91% were housewives. In our study, 20.96% had a history of voluntary termination of pregnancy, 70.96% had multiple gestures. In 60.48% of the cases, the women had practiced the abortive act themselves and the medicinal means (51.61%) were the most used means. Hemorrhagic complications by placental retention were observed in 58.87% of cases and 29.03% concerned by infectious complications. Uterine evacuation was used for 59.67% of cases. Ten cases of death (8.06%) were recorded. Conclusion. The complications of clandestine abortions remain a major public health problem in Madagascar. Sexual education and sensibilisation for the women about the use of contraceptives method would be a means to avoid or to minimize this scourge

Despenalización del aborto en Chile: una aproximación mixta desde la percepción del aborto en población comunitaria

ObjectiveTo identify the variables and the axiological argumentations that configure the perception of abortion as a crime, in a sample of a city in southern Chile during the debate of law 21.030. MethodThe design is quantitative, observational correlation cross-sectional followed by a qualitative approach. The quantitative sample of 289 members of the community of Temuco (Chile) answered a questionnaire about social categories, and their perception of the seriousness of 15 behaviours defined in Chile as crimes. For the qualitative phase, we carried out 12 semi-standardized interviews in the same community, subject to content analysis, incorporating some elements of grounded theory from the constructivist perspective. ResultsRegardless of sex, more than half of the study sample considers abortion to be between a serious and an extremely serious crime, despite its current decriminalization. Religious people, no matter what kind of religion, political conservatives and people of a lower educational level, perceive abortion as a serious crime. Frequency of participation in religious events has a mediating effect. The qualitative results establish t religious teaching as a very important argument to reject abortion, and that the perception of the severity of abortion as a crime is multidimensional. ConclusionReligion and a conservative political vision affect the traditional constructions of gender and motherhood, and therefore, there is a marked tendency to reject abortion. These results emphasize the need to pay special attention to the acceptance of Law 21.030 on the voluntary termination of pregnancy in regions. This is important for effective application of the Law.

Justicia de género y valores emancipadores. Argentina y América Latina en perspectiva comparada internacional

El debate público y legislativo sobre la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo en la Argentina dio fortaleza adicional a la movilización social feminista que había ganado renovado impulso desde 2015 con el surgimiento del movimiento #NiUnaMenos. El trabajo se apoya en las teorías del cambio cultural y en los estudios de género para analizar teórica y empíricamente la relación entre los valores prodemocráticos de “emancipación” o “autoexpresión” y las actitudes hacia la igualdad de género y las normas familiares y sexuales basadas en la libertad de elección y la igualdad de oportunidades, como son la aceptación del aborto y la homosexualidad. A partir de una muestra de 72 países, el artículo utiliza datos de la World Values Survey y Latinobarómetro para examinar la situación de 18 sociedades de América Latina en perspectiva mundial. Se indagan además empíricamente los factores que influyen en las políticas nacionales sobre legalización del aborto y violencia contra la mujer, entre ellos el impacto de los movimientos feministas, la representación parlamentaria de la mujer, la religión, los sistemas políticos y los valores culturales.

Pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to cancer chemotherapy.

There is little data on the effects of cancer chemotherapy in pregnant women. The objective of this study was to describe pregnancy outcomes of women exposed to cancer chemotherapy, recorded in the French Terappel database. We performed a descriptive, prospective study of the pregnancies of women exposed to cancer chemotherapy recorded in Terappel between June 1984 and December 2016. Terappel is a French database that has recorded questions of health professionals and/or individuals at the Regional Pharmacovigilance Centres about drugs and pregnancy. For each question, pregnancies are monitored and the outcome is recorded in the database. In total, 75 questions about "anti-cancer drugs and pregnancy" received by 16 Regional Pharmacovigilance Centres between 1997 and 2016 were recorded in Terappel. Breast cancer accounted for 62.7% of the cases, followed by leukaemia (13.3%) and lymphoma (9.3%). Cyclophosphamide is the leading anti-cancer drug with 40.0% of exposed pregnant women, followed by 5-fluorouracil (34.7%), epirubicin (32.0%), tamoxifen (26.7%), and doxorubicin (16.0%). Among the 75 pregnancies, we observed 55 births with 57 children (73.3%) (two cases of twins), nine medical terminations of pregnancy (12.0%), six voluntary terminations of pregnancy (8.0%), three intrauterine foetal deaths (4.0%), and two miscarriages (2.7%). We found a malformation rate of 7.8%. Sixteen of 57 (28.1%) newborns developed one or more neonatal pathologies. Pregnancy of women taking anti-cancer drugs resulted in birth in 73% of cases. Nevertheless, pregnant women exposed to cancer chemotherapy remains at risk of malformations and neonatal conditions related to prematurity and drugs.

General medical practice and medicinal voluntary termination of pregnancy in Grand Est, France

Access to VTOP (Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy) is a national priority in France. Once legalized in 1975, several laws contributed to improve access to VTOP, such as the 2004family planning law which enabled urban practitioners to carry out orthogenic work. This law was supplemented by the 2016health care modernization act. On the whole, the organization for VTOP access in the Grand Est region, complies with legislation and recommendations. However, private practitioners contribute little to this activity. Since there are very few gynecologists in certain areas (whether private or hospital practitioners), general practitioners seem to be the first line actors. This study aims at describing the orthogenic work of urban, government-regulated general practitioners, in the Grand Est region of France. Data were collected from semi-directive interviews with the set of the government-regulated general practitioners doing family planning work in the Grand Est region. Out of the fifteen doctors who were interviewed, twelve actually suggested family planning work to their patients, and out of those twelve, seven practiced it in reality. What comes out is that the main motivation of professionals was to improve access to VTOP. Besides, they also mentioned the importance of being able to answer a real demand from their patients as well as an interest in gynecology. Hence the professionals' practice both benefits from services provided to their patients and from a diversification of their work, even though they regret that the value of this time-consuming procedure is not recognized. This study also brings out that although these medical acts were individualized and allowed better confidentiality for the patient, the risk for complications and home birth remained an obstacle. Finally, it emerges that the whole set of recommendations was not always implemented. Urban family planning, performed by general practitioners, seems to be a major line to focus on for better timeliness and quality of care. However, some obstacles have been identified such as its specificity, its time-consuming aspect, its lack of status, as well as the difficulty to comply with recommendations. The development of this practice is necessary to maintain an appropriate response to VTOP but actions to remove certain obstacles have to be carried out.

Aborto, sororidad y autonomía de los cuerpos: diálogo con la diputada nacional Mónica Macha

Just days after the Argentine Chamber of Deputies approved the bill on the Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy, Salud Colectiva asked Dora Barrancos and Patricia Rosemberg to converse with representative Mónica Macha regarding the events leading up to the Chamber's approval of the bill. In the conversation other themes emerged in connection to the energy that flooded the streets all over the country throughout the year. The three women highlighted the activism and sorority present inside and outside of the chamber, the central role of youth, "the revolution of the daughters," the discussion of body autonomy, the role of doctors and how the struggle became a cultural change from which there is no return. This conversation narrates a historical moment in the words of some of its actors.

Évaluation lors d’une IVG des freins à l’utilisation de la contraception d’urgence

ObjectivesIn France, one pregnancy out of three is unplanned. Half of those pregnancies lead to abortion. However, the use of emergency contraception is far from systematic. It is therefore relevant to question the reasons and factors linked to the low rate of use of emergency contraception. MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted in the orthogenic service of the University hospital Center of Nice, over a six weeks period. Patients were consulting in the context of voluntary termination of pregnancy and were subjected to a questionnaire during a semi-structured interview. The collected data were: age, degree of education, profession, size of their home town municipality, legal status, obstetrical history, contraception used at the time of unplanned pregnancy, emergency contraception background and justification for not using an emergency contraception. ResultsA total of one hundred and five questionnaires were studied. The absence of emergency contraception was due to an underestimation of the risk of pregnancy in 81% of cases. Among characteristic variables of the studied population, none was related to the non-use of emergency contraception. ConclusionsIndependently of the patient profile, underestimation of the risk of pregnancy is the main cause of non-use of emergency contraception. It seems crucial to inform women with childbearing age and their families about their fertility and the basic mechanisms of fertility in order to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies in France.

Termination of pregnancy in a border region between Switzerland and Italy (2008-2015).

In Switzerland, voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) can be performed in all public and private hospitals with an obstetrics/gynaecology department. For various reasons, many Italian women use the Swiss healthcare system, in particular in Canton Ticino, a border region adjacent to Italy in the southern part of Switzerland, when they want to have a VTP. In this study, we aimed to illustrate trends in the VTPs in the Canton Ticino between 2008 and 2015 and demonstrate differences between the Swiss women resident in Switzerland (SSR), foreign women resident in Switzerland (FSR) and foreign women resident abroad (FAR), focusing in particular on the Italian women as during this period there were legal changes in Italy. The number of VTPs was constant on a national level (10,924 in 2008, 10,255 in 2015); in contrast, since 2012 the number has progressively decreased (41%) in Ticino, mainly because of the significant reduction in VTPs in women resident in Italy (decrease of 75.7%). In addition, we wanted to evaluate the impact of the pre-VTP counselling at a family planning centre (FPC) on the VTP decision. The high number of pre-VTP consultations suggests that this service is appreciated and helpful. We observed an encouraging trend in changing the decision to have a VTP after the consultation at the FPC, where 12% of the pregnant women decided to continue the pregnancy. Because of its location, the Canton Ticino is an example how availability of certain drugs, methods and laws can influence the cross-border flow of the patients.

Termination of pregnancy in a border region between Switzerland and Italy (2008-2015).

In Switzerland, voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) can be performed in all public and private hospitals with an obstetrics/gynaecology department. For various reasons, many Italian women use the Swiss healthcare system, in particular in Canton Ticino, a border region adjacent to Italy in the southern part of Switzerland, when they want to have a VTP. In this study, we aimed to illustrate trends in the VTPs in the Canton Ticino between 2008 and 2015 and demonstrate differences between the Swiss women resident in Switzerland (SSR), foreign women resident in Switzerland (FSR) and foreign women resident abroad (FAR), focusing in particular on the Italian women as during this period there were legal changes in Italy. The number of VTPs was constant on a national level (10,924 in 2008, 10,255 in 2015); in contrast, since 2012 the number has progressively decreased (41%) in Ticino, mainly because of the significant reduction in VTPs in women resident in Italy (decrease of 75.7%). In addition, we wanted to evaluate the impact of the pre-VTP counselling at a family planning centre (FPC) on the VTP decision. The high number of pre-VTP consultations suggests that this service is appreciated and helpful. We observed an encouraging trend in changing the decision to have a VTP after the consultation at the FPC, where 12% of the pregnant women decided to continue the pregnancy. Because of its location, the Canton Ticino is an example how availability of certain drugs, methods and laws can influence the cross-border flow of the patients.

A DECISÃO DO STF SOBRE ABORTO DE FETOS ANENCÉFALOS: UMA ANÁLISE FEMINISTA DE DISCURSO

RESUMO Este artigo traz uma análise do acórdão do Supremo Tribunal Federal na Ação de Descumprimento de Preceito Fundamental nº 54 (ADPF 54), que buscou solucionar a polêmica acerca da possibilidade de interrupção voluntária da gestação em caso de fetos com anencefalia. Por uma abordagem feminista de análise de discurso, o trabalho foca a forma paradoxal pela qual a Corte atendeu uma demanda feminista e de movimentos de luta pelos direitos das mulheres: 1) escamoteando os vínculos com ativistas desses grupos e com os discursos que elas defendem sobre a autonomia das mulheres em relação a seus corpos; 2) mantendo o padrão tradicionalista e androcêntrico próprio do Direito. Assim, a análise descreve três artifícios de linguagem que se sobressaem na articulação desse paradoxo: explicação, nomeação e representação. O trabalho aponta a persistência no campo do Direito de paradigmas tradicionais e androcêntricos que a Justiça valoriza e com os quais opera. Este estudo visa contribuir para o debate sobre a descriminalização do aborto no Brasil, bem como discutir a relação entre linguagem / gênero / direito.

Voluntary termination of pregnancy: An opportunity for Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccination in an Italian healthcare local unit

ABSTRACTIn Italy, the National Plan for the Elimination of Measles and Congenital Rubella 2010–15 suggests offering Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination to susceptible women who underwent voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) In Rome, S. Eugenio Hospital is one of the structures where VTP is practised in an Operative Unit called “Family Planning” The primary goal of this study was to estimate the prevalence of susceptibility to rubella, using IgG and IgM immunoassays, among women accessing VTP and to offering MMR vaccination to susceptible women. Secondarily, this study evaluated acceptance of the vaccination offer From 2013 to 2015, data were collected from 1513 voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) cases The results show a significant increase of 5 percent in susceptibility prevalence in the target group from 13.6% in 2013 and 2014 to 18.4% in 2015 The association between rubella susceptibility and age was statistically significant (p<0.01) Throughout the entire period, acceptance of the vaccine proposal was 19% (45/232) among susceptible women; 58% (135/232) refused the vaccine and 23% (52/232) took time to think about it This study shows an increase of 5 percent in the prevalence of rubella susceptibility over two years. This result is worrying, even considering the short span of the data collection The rate of acceptance of vaccination is unsatisfactory considering the possibility of future pregnancies This issue deserves continued action, which, going forward, might transform a “project” into a shared strategy as part of a wider network with the goal of aligning Italy with international recommendations.

Bacterial vaginosis: Prevalence and associated risk factors among non-pregnant women of reproductive age attending a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) among non-pregnant women of reproductive age group. A cross-sectional study among non-pregnant asymptomatic women aged 19 to 45 years, attending the gynaecological clinic at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria. Participants were counselled and an informed consent was obtained. This was followed by vaginal swabs for microscopy, culture and sensitivity. Diagnosis of BV was by Nugent's criteria. Data analysis was by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Chi-square and Yates corrected chi-square were calculated, and p value <0.05 was significant. Among the 212 participants, prevalence of BV was 40.1%; it was common among women aged 25-34 years (50; 58.8%), the married (77; 90.6%) and those with tertiary education (39; 45.9%). The risk factors for BV were common among women with laboratory evidence of the infection, however statistically significant risk factors were the use of intrauterine device (OR 1.61, 95%CI 0.543-4.759; p0.020) and previous voluntary termination of pregnancy (OR 1.04, 95%CI 0.600-1.808; p0.047). There was high prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in the study population. Universal screening and treatment of cases may assist in lowering the associated morbidity.

Voluntary termination of pregnancy in a portuguese local health unit - 8 years after the law approval

Voluntary termination of pregnancy in a portuguese local health unit - 8 years after the law approval

Relationship between UGT1A9 gene polymorphisms, efficacy, and safety of propofol in induced abortions amongst Chinese population: a population-based study.

The present study aimed to investigate the influence of UGT1A9 gene polymorphisms on the efficacy of propofol in patients undergoing the painless induced abortion method. A total of 156 women seeking voluntary pregnancy termination procedures were selected for the study, and subsequently underwent painless induced abortions, following anesthesia by means of propofol administration. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to detect the polymorphisms of UGT1A9 gene at –440C/T, –1818C/T, and –1887T/G loci. The time, effect-site concentration, and bispectral index (BIS) for the Observer’s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAA/S) (up to 4 points) were observed and recorded in patients following discontinuation of propofol. The time and effect-site concentration for BIS reaching 80 in patients following the discontinuation of propofol were observed and recorded. Postoperative observations of adverse reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, and respiratory depression were all made record of. In comparison with patients with UGT1A9 –440C/T CT and TT, those with UGT1A9 –440C/T CC displayed shorter durations of OAA/S by up to 4 points, shorter BIS times reaching 80, as well as higher corresponding effect-site concentrations. No significant differences were detected in the patients with –440C/T, –1818T/C, and –1887T/G in incidence of nausea, vomiting, and respiratory depression. The findings of the study highlighted correlation between UGT1A9 –440C/T gene polymorphisms and positive propofol efficacy in patients undergoing painless induced pregnancy termination procedures.

Blood Loss During Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy: A Comparison of Anesthetics [12D

INTRODUCTION: Over one million pregnancies each year will end in termination of pregnancy. There has not been a study in the United States to indicate a clear association between intraoperative blood loss and choice of anesthetics. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a difference in intraoperative bleeding with inhalational versus non-inhalational anesthesia agents for patients undergoing suction dilatation and curettage for first trimester voluntary termination of pregnancy. METHODS: This is an institutional review board approved retrospective chart review of the electronic medical records of patients undergoing voluntary termination of pregnancy between 5 0/7 and 14 0/7 weeks of pregnancy from 2012 and 2014 at the Metropolitan Hospital Center. Comparison of blood loss and anesthetic technique was done using the Mann-Whitney U Test. Blood loss was estimated by the operating gynecology physician. RESULTS: The mean intraoperative blood loss for inhalational anesthetics is significantly higher than with non-inhalational agents (p=0.007). Age, body mass index (BMI), gestational age at voluntary termination of pregnancy, or number of methylergonovine doses was not statistically significant between the groups. CONCLUSION: The difference in blood loss between the two types of anesthetic techniques may not be clinically significant in a healthy reproductive-age woman. These findings may be important for patients with significant anemia or at an increased risk of bleeding, such as those with coagulopathies. Limitations of this study include its retrospective nature, as well as the method of blood loss measurement.

La evolución de la regulación del aborto en España: perspectivas teóricas y proyección normativa

El presente artículo plantea un recorrido por las distintas fórmulas de regulación de la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo desde un punto de vista teórico y jurídico. Para ello, tras una primera parte dedicada a describir las distintas aproximaciones teóricas que, en términos generales, fundamentan las diferentes opciones normativas, se repasan las pautas jurisprudenciales que se derivan de las resoluciones del Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos, pasando después a plantear el contenido de las distintas soluciones normativas, pasadas o vigentes, mediante las que se ha articulado esta cuestión en el Ordenamiento español, incluyendo la última iniciativa legislativa, fallida, planteada por el Gobierno en 2013, cuyos términos son objeto de un análisis particular centrado en los problemas teóricos y prácticos que habría planteado de haber llegado a aprobarse.

Cripwashing: the abortion debates at the crossroads of gender and disability in the Spanish media

On 11 September 2015, the Spanish Senate passed the second reform of the Abortion Act, promoted by a Conservative Government. It was the last step in the parliamentary process of a law that bans 16- and 17-year-old girls from accessing abortion without parental consent. In this article, we explore how the debates between physicians, the Catholic Church, disability activists and pro-choice activists reached the Spanish media. We focus on the use the Conservative Government has made of disability rights movement (DRM) discourse to undermine the reproductive rights of women in force in the country since the 1986 Law on VoluntaryTermination of Pregnancy. We unveil the intricacies of the voices of a minority group in justifying agendas against women’s rights, stressing the challenges that dismantling the Spanish public health system poses for people with disabilities. We suggest that the Conservative Government was using the DRM to undermine women’s rights, and we call this operation cripwashing. Similar to the term ‘pinkwashing’ used by the LGBT community, cripwashing refers to the practice of using the rights protections of one group to conceal abuses towards other groups. In the following three sections, we explore how the budget cuts imposed on the Spanish national healthcare system pose a greater danger to disabled people than the abortion laws that allow the termination of pregnancy on the basis of congenital malformations. We then focus on how the Conservative Party capitalized on the discourse of the DRM in order to undermine women’s reproductive rights.

The effect of voluntary termination of pregnancy on female sexual and emotional well-being in different age groups

Introduction: To evaluate the impact of voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTOP) on the psycho-sexological well-being of females before/six months after the abortion.Methods: A sample of 194 women was recruited from three obstetrics and gynaecological divisions. The women were evaluated for the variables “sexual functioning” with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), “depression” with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and “anxiety state” with the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) at time 0 (the beginning of the abortion procedure) and time 1 (six months after the abortion). Since 24 women refused to fill out the questionnaires, the final sample was composed of 170 women.Results: The women showed a slight although significant improvement in the mean FSFI score from time 0 (16.7 ± 12.9) to time 1 (20.9 ± 13.8) (p < 0.001) which paralleled with a slight decrease in the incidence of clinically significant sexual dysfunction [49% (84/170) (time 0) versus 34.1% (58/170) (time 1)], (McNemar’s test; p = 0.0241). The sub-group of younger women (18–25) showed a lesser increase in FSFI score from time 0 to time 1. In addition, both depression (p = 0.048) and anxiety (p < 0.001) significantly decreased over time. However, the female sexuality remained impaired since more than two thirds (69.5%) of women were sexually dysfunctional six months after VTOP.Discussion: Voluntary TOP may influence the sexuality of younger females differently from how it influences that of older women. Hence, the sexuality of younger female should be regularly supervised in follow-up examinations.

Social awareness on Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy: A cross-section study

The objective of this research is to assess the social awareness of Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy (VTP) in order to develop adequate information and training programmes. An observational study was carried out on a sample of individuals aged between 14 and 68. In social-aggregation areas 800 questionnaires were distributed, prior to the assurance of anonymity. 90.5% of the individuals asked to participate, answered the questionnaire. 21.2% of the sample was not aware of the existence of guidance centre in the Local Health Authorities and 25.7% of the Law that regulates VTP. Less than half of the interviewees (42.3%) considered VTP as an admissible choice in special circumstances, 11% consider it as a means of prevention of unwanted pregnancy and 55.35% do not know that a minor can have an abortion without the consent of her parents. 41.7% of the women interviewed would resort to VTP, while 12.2% have already resorted to it. The inclination to perform VTP has been drastically associated mainly with not being in a stable relationship, age, or being an atheist.