Medium term complications after termination of pregnancy.

PIP: 309 patients who experienced a 1st-trimester therapeutic abortion at a free-standing abortion hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, were randomly selected from a possible population of 3688 for a follow-up survey on medium term, i.e., 3-9 months postabortion, complications. The great majority reported no physical, emotional, or social repercussions. The negative effects reported by the remainder were generally of minor severity. 1/3 reported slight and 3.6% moderate bleeding. 13.9% reported slight and 2.9% moderate pain. The experience of pain and/or bleeding was positively correlated with length of gestation prior to termination. Multiparous women were less likely to experience postoperative pain and bleeding. 3.8% reported a significantly elevated postabortion temperature. There were few serious emotional consequences. At the time of follow-up, 63.7% were continuing with the same contraceptive method prescribed at the clinic, 22% had changed to another method, and 12.9% were not practicing contraception. All these results are similar to findings from other studies of postabortion sequelae. It can be concluded that vacuum aspiration under paracervical block as practiced at the Auckland Medical Aid Center carries a low complication^ieng

Abortion experiences among New Zealand women.

In May 1976 the incidence of abortion among New Zealand women was surveyed over a national random probability sample of 1200 women aged 15 years and over. Of the respondents who had ever been pregnant, 16.6 percent had at some stage considered terminating their pregnancy, and one-third of them subsequently attempted to obtain an abortion with 84 percent success. Single women and/or women in the 15-24 year age group were more likely than married or older women to have considered abortion when pregnant, and were more likely to have followed through with an abortion attempt after considering abortion. Prior to 1974, 62 percent of the abortion attempts involved an unqualified operator, in contrast to only 5 percent of those attempted or obtained from 1974-1976. Women with abortion experiences shifted from a low incidence of contraception and reliance on inadequate methods prior to the abortion attempt, to a higher incidence and use of more adequate methods subsequent to the abortion attempt. Extrapolation from the survey data yielded a median estimated incidence of 8000 abortions per annum on New Zealand women.

An evaluation of the counselling given to patients having a therapeutic abortion.

The results of a questionnaire evaluating patient's reactions to counselling for their therapeutic abortion are reported. Most considered that counselling was necessary and that it provided support throughout the abortion process. The counselling appeared to relieve anxiety for many patients, but seemed to be less effective for patients who were not of European origin.

Contraceptive practice among New Zealand women.

In May 1976 the contraceptive practices of New Zealand women were surveyed among a national random probability sample of 1200 women aged 15 years and over. The survey found 93 percent of women aged 15-44 years considered themselves at risk of pregnancy. Of all women surveyed, almost half (two-thirds of those at risk) currently practised contraception. The highest incidence was among women aged 25-44 years. Single women at risk contracepted less frequently than did married women. The most frequently used method was the contraceptive pill, favoured particularly by younger women. It was followed by sterilisation of either partner, which was most frequent among women aged 25-44 years.

Maori abortion practices in pre and early European New Zealand.

The practice of abortion and infanticide in pre and early European New Zealand is confirmed. The reasons for these practices and the methods used are discussed in relation to early Maori attitudes and mythology.

PIP: There is much evidence to support the conclusion that both infanticide and induced abortion were widely practiced in pre- and early-European New Zealand by the Maoris. Reasons for the practice of both abortion and infanticide were more often social than medical. The desire to stay young, fertility control, and the fear of social disgrace are cited as some reasons why abortion was practiced. Methods of inducing abortion included drugs, religious methods, and constrictive belts. Infanticide was practiced as revenge by a mother on a wondering husband or as a means of matching the population to the food supply. Because female babies were less highly valued than males, it was females who were almost always killed. The religous mythology surrounding both these practices is reviewed.

Patients denied abortion at a private early pregnancy termination service in Auckland.

Follow-up of patients who were denied abortion at a private early pregnancy termination service shows at least half of the sample eventually had an abortion elsewhere.

PIP: 186 of 414 patients denied abortion at a private early pregnancy termination service during the 1st year of operation were interviewed to determine the outcome of pregnancy for these women. A nonstructured interview schedule was used to obtain information. Additional information was obtained on another 32 patients from their physicians. There were 74 married, 142 never-married, and 37 previously married. 72.3% were European origin, 7.6% Maori, 13.8% as Pacific Island, and 6.3% other. The majority of these patients were denied their abortion because their pregnancy was too advanced (57%). 52.9% were Protestant, 20.5% were Catholic, and 26.4% other. 18 patients had been denied abortion because of absence of pregnancy and this was confirmed at follow-up. 13 patients had miscarriages, 3 self-induced. Only 69 patients completed their pregnancy the rest having obtained an abortion elsewhere. 8 women adopted out their infants. 54.5% of women with insufficient legal grounds for abortion and 66% of those whose pregnancies were too far advanced had therapeutic abortions elsewhere. It is suggested that counseling is more effective than legal restrictions in detecting patients who are likely to continue with their pregnancy.

Social characteristics of patients attending a private early pregnancy termination service in Auckland.

During a two-year period, 5143 of 6303 patients referred, had a therapeutic abortion at a private service in Auckland. The basic social characteristics of these patients and the workings of this service are presented. Reasons for denial of abortion requests in 18.4 percent of patients are discussed.

Sexual activity and contraception use in young adults.

241 (57 male and 184 female), well-educated, largely urban, young persons, voluntarily attended a lecture on sex; after the lecture they completed an anonymous questionnaire on their background, and attitudes to sex. A majority believed that premarital sexual activity was acceptable if there was some affectional tie between the couple. Most of the men were sexually active, while only a third of the women were so. However, a quarter of the sexually inexperienced men and women were engaging in forms of sexual stimulation which would seem to carry a high possibility of ending in intercourse. Knowledge of contraception, while high, tended to over-estimate the efficacy of the safe period and vaginal methods. Half the sexually active group had used contraception at sexual initiation but only a third had used reliable methods. Subsequent contraceptive practice however, was high (90 percent), with the pill being the most frequently used method. Twenty percent of the sexually active women had already been pregnant: of these only a quarter had carried their pregnancies to term. The limitations of the study are discussed and some suggestions for preventing pregnancy in the unmarried drawn.

Medical services at a music festival.

A three-day open air musical festival attended by approximately 20 000 people was held at Ngaruawahia in January 1973. A medical service was provided and staffed mainly by medical students, nurses and young medical graduates. There were 1998 patient visits to the medical area, the five most common complaints being sunburn, headaches, minor foot trauma, gastroenteritis and lacerations which collectively accounted for 75 percent of the diagnoses. The medical services provided are discussed and recommendations for future festivals made.