Abortion among adolescents in Cuba

Aborto e estigma: uma análise da produção científica sobre a temática

Resumo O artigo objetiva analisar a produção científica sobre aborto e estigma social e o potencial da categoria estigma para estudos sobre a assistência ao abortamento no Brasil. Utilizou-se o método de revisão integrativa de publicações das bases científicas, optando por não estabelecer limite temporal. Analisou-se 65 publicações com as representações sociais de mulheres que abortam e de profissionais que as atendem; exploram os obstáculos para a implementação das leis do aborto e dos protocolos e normas que facilitariam o acesso a serviços de qualidade. À relevância conceitual de Erving Goffman somou-se a compreensão sobre a transgressão dos estereótipos de gênero, o imperativo da maternidade, a pureza sexual, que marca as mulheres que abortam como seres inferiores, deteriorados: promíscuas, pecadoras, assassinas. Identificaram-se grupos mais afetados pela estigmatização: mulheres em abortamento, profissionais de saúde. O conflito feminino pela dualidade ocultar/revelar seus abortamentos, a objeção de consciência de profissionais e os obstáculos na implementação de políticas públicas emergiram dos trabalhos. A reflexão sobre o papel do estigma pode interferir no ciclo do aborto clandestino e contribuir para o (re) desenho de intervenções que apoiem a redução de danos à saúde sexual e reprodutiva das mulheres.

The persistence of induced abortion in Cuba: exploring the notion of an "abortion culture"

Cuba's annual induced abortion rate persistently ranks among the highest in the world, and abortion plays a prominent role in Cuban fertility regulation despite widespread contraceptive prevalence and state promotion of modern contraceptives. We explore this phenomenon using the concept of an "abortion culture," typically used in reference to Soviet and post-Soviet countries. We synthesize existing literature to provide a historical account of abortion and contraception in Cuba. We also provide a qualitative analysis of abortion and contraceptive use based on in-depth interviews conducted in 2005 in Havana with 24 women who have had an abortion and 10 men whose partners have had an abortion. Information gained from a focus-group discussion with medical professionals also informed the study. Our four principal findings are: (a) longstanding awareness of abortion, (b) the view of abortion as a personal decision, (c) the influence of economic constraints on the decision to induce an abortion, and (d) general skepticism toward contraceptives. We discuss our results on abortion in Cuba in relation to the notion of social diffusion, an approach commonly used to explain the spread of fertility control throughout a population.

Reasons for pregnancy termination, contraceptive habits and contraceptive failure among Swedish women requesting an early pregnancy termination

BACKGROUND

More than 30 000 legal abortions are performed every year in Sweden despite sexual education in schools, widespread youth-clinics and family planning services that are free of charge. The aim of this study was to investigate reasons for induced abortion, contraceptive habits and reasons for contraceptive failure among women presenting for induced abortion.

METHODS

A questionnaire was administered to 591 Swedish-speaking women consecutively attending three different health care providers concerning an induced abortion during spring 2000.

RESULTS

The response rate was 88% (n = 518). As many as 43%, among daily smokers 53%, had experienced one or more previous legal abortions. The majority of the women (97%) had discussed the decision about abortion with someone. The most cited reasons contributing to their decision were financial concerns, worries about the relationship and bad timing of the pregnancy. Though 85% had used contraception during the previous year, 36% of the women had not used any contraceptive method at the time of conception. The main reason given for not using contraception was the belief that they could not at that time become pregnant (35%). Ninety percent of the women planned to use contraception after the abortion.

CONCLUSION

Women's decisions regarding induced abortion are multifactorial. One important reason was "poor economy". One out of three did not use any contraception, as they believed they could not become pregnant. Women presenting for induced abortion are a risk-group for further terminations. Counseling must include information about the fertile window, effective contraceptives and the emergency contraceptive pill.