Acces to abortion in the Grand Est region in 2023 / L'accès à l'interruption volontaire de grossesse dans la région Grand Est en 2023

Objectives: Although access to abortion is a national priority in France, there is little documented evidence that it is actually respected. In the Grand Est region, the 2021­2023 plan for access to abortion includes a review of family planning practices and health care provision, to update the 2019 report. It raises the question of access to abortion in all its dimensions, and aims to implement improvement actions best suited to the region's problems. Method: An online questionnaire was sent to hospitals, local perinatal centers, sexual health centers, and independent professionals with presumed family planning activity. Of those who responded, only those with actual family planning activity were included. Results: The five-day deadline for the first appointment recommended by the HAS can be met by 73% of those surveyed. During pre- or post-abortion consultations, a psychosocial interview is offered to 92% of patients, and the detection of violence to 97%. Although 14 hospitals (38%) have extended their abortion access time to 16 weeks of amenorrhea, the number of facilities handling abortions beyond 13 weeks of amenorrhea has fallen since 2019. In primary care, 70% of private practitioners and 61% of sexual health centers offer abortions up to 9 weeks of amenorrhea. Conclusions: Access to abortion has weakened in the Grand Est region between 2019 and 2023. New laws and regulations could be a lever for improvement, provided that the professionals involved are given the means.

Objectifs: Si l'accès à l'IVG est une priorité nationale en France, son respect effectif n'est que peu documenté. Dans le Grand Est, le plan d'accès à l'IVG 2021-2023 inclut la réalisation d'un état des lieux des pratiques et de l'offre de soins en orthogénie, pour actualiser celui de 2019. Il pose la question de l'accès à l'IVG dans toutes ses dimensions et vise la mise en place des actions d'amélioration les plus adaptées aux problématiques de la région. Méthodes: Un questionnaire en ligne a été envoyé aux centres hospitaliers, aux centres périnataux de proximité, aux centres de santé sexuelle et aux professionnels libéraux ayant une activité d'orthogénie supposée. Parmi ceux qui y ont répondu, seuls ceux qui avaient une activité d'orthogénie effective ont été inclus. Résultats: Le délai de premier rendez-vous de cinq jours recommandés par l'HAS peut être respecté par 73 % des enquêtés. Lors des consultations pré- ou post-IVG, un entretien psychosocial est proposé à 92 % et un repérage des violences à 97 %. Bien que 14 centres hospitaliers (38 %) aient allongé leur délai d'accès à l'IVG jusqu'à 16 SA, le nombre d'établissements prenant en charge les IVG au-delà de 13 semaines d'aménorrhée a baissé depuis 2019. En médecine de ville, 70 % des professionnels libéraux et 61 % des CSS ont une offre IVG allant jusqu'à 9 SA. Conclusions: L'accès à l'IVG s'est fragilisé dans le Grand Est entre 2019 et 2023. Les nouvelles lois et réglementations pourraient être un levier d'amélioration à condition que des moyens soient donnés aux professionnels impliqués.

Impacto psicológico inicial e incidencia de trastorno mental en torno a las interrupciones voluntarias del embarazo (IVE): un estudio piloto en población general / Initial psychological impact and incidence of mental disorders Around voluntary terminations of pregnancy (vtp): a pilot Study in the general population

Introducción/Antecedentes: Existe todavía una insuficiente evidencia científica sobre los efectos psicológicos/psicopatológicos y emocionales de las interrupciones voluntarias del embarazo (IVE), especialmente en nuestro entorno. Los estudios previos sobre el tema se caracterizan por 1) ofrecer resultados dispares, 2) estudiar depresión, ansiedad, trastorno por estrés postraumático y abuso de sustancias, pero al mismo tiempo 3) existen cuestiones metodológicas que limitan la generalización de los resultados. Objetivos: Describir una muestra de mujeres de población general que realizaron una IVE en un servicio público de Atención a la Sexual y Reproductiva (ASSIR) de Catalunya. Métodos: Estudio piloto de pacientes provenientes de población general y atendidas en nuestras consultas de Ginecología del Servicio de Atención a la Salud Sexual y Reproductiva (ASSIR) de Osona a Vic (Barcelona). Las pacientes fueron evaluadas siguiendo escalas estandarizadas, incluyendo la MINI (Mini Psychiatric Interview) y la Escala de Depresión de Hamilton. El seguimiento fue durante cuatro meses. Se realizó una estadística descriptiva. Resultados: Hasta 23 mujeres fueron incluidas en la muestra piloto. La edad media era joven (31.4 años). La mayoría (62.5%) estaban activas laboralmente y tenías estudios equivalentes al bachillerato o superiores (52.2%). El 26.1% habían tenido IVE previas. La IVE actual fue mayoritariamente farmacológica (73.9%). El principal motivo fue su voluntad (86.9%). Tres mujeres puntuaron más de 7 puntos en la Escala de Depresión de Hamilton. La entrevista diagnóstica MINI identificó diez mujeres con criterios para enfermedad mental en ese momento. De estas diez mujeres, seis no tenían antecedentes familiares ni personales de enfermedad mental, mientras que cuatro ya tenían antecedentes personales de alguna patología mental y ya habían consultado anteriormente en alguna ocasión al Servicio de Psiquiatría...(AU)

Introduction/Background: There is still insufficient scientific evidence on the psychological/psychopathological and emotional effects of voluntary terminations of pregnancy (V.T.P.), especially in our setting. Previous studies on the subject are characterized by 1) mixed results, 2) studying depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse, but at the same time 3) there are methodological issues that limit the generalizability of the results. Objectives: To describe a sample of women from the general population who underwent an abortion in a public center of the Sexual and Reproductive Assistance Network (ASSIR) of Catalonia. Methodology: Pilot study of patients from the general population attended in our Sexual and Reproductive Health outpatient clinics at the ASSIR of Osona (Vic, Barcelona). Patients were assessed using standardized scales, including the MINI (Mini Psychiatric Interview) and the Hamilton Depression Scale. Follow-up was for four months. Descriptive statistics were performed. Results: Up to 23 women were included in the pilot sample. The average age was young (31.4 years). The majority (62.5%) were active in the labour market and had a high school education or higher (52.2%). 26.1% had had a previous VTP. The current abortion was mostly pharmacological (73.9%). The main reason was willingness (86.9%). Three women scored more than 7 points on the Hamilton Depression Scale. The MINI diagnostic interview identified ten women with criteria for mental illness at that time. Of these ten women, six had no family or personal history of mental illness, while four had a personal history of mental illness and had previously consulted the psychiatric service. After the abortion, during the following four months, only one patient consulted the psychology service and was subsequently discharged...(AU)

Reproductive Health Practices in Spanish Women Who Underwent Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy.

Background: The incidence of Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy (VTP) is an important indicator of unplanned pregnancies and the differences in the functioning of contraceptive services and the effectiveness of their use. Its analysis is essential for monitoring the well-being of women and their partners. Our aim was to analyse the socio-demographic profile of women who request voluntary termination of pregnancy in the province of Salamanca, as well as their satisfaction with the intervention and its influence on their contraceptive methods. Methods: An intervention study (before-after) designed without a control group, including all women requesting a voluntary termination of pregnancy through the Salamanca Public Health System. Socio-demographic and reproductive health variables were used. After the termination of pregnancy, a satisfaction survey and analysis of consequences were carried out. Results: A total of 176 surveys were obtained. Women who underwent VTP in Salamanca were between 20 and 25 years old, had secondary education but were still studying or working, lived alone and had no children. The most commonly used contraceptive method was the condom (55%), followed by the pill (25%). The most frequent reason for termination of pregnancy was economic (47.7%). The abortion entailed a significant change in contraception. Whereas before the abortion only 34% used a hormonal method, 66% were willing to use one afterwards (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Reproductive health education needs to be improved so that couples use reliable contraceptive methods appropriately. Although women are generally satisfied with the care received during abortion, they would prefer better accessibility to the procedure and more comprehensive information about the process from a neutral stance.

On the Juridical Relevance of the Phenomenological Notion of Person in Max Scheler and Edith Stein.

The paper presents a semiotic interpretation of the phenomenological debate on the notion of person, focusing in particular on Edmund Husserl, Max Scheler, and Edith Stein. The semiotic interpretation lets us identify the categories that orient the debate: collective/individual and subject/object. As we will see, the phenomenological analysis of the relation between person and social units such as the community, the association, and the mass shows similarities to contemporary socio-semiotic models. The difference between community, association, and mass provides an explanation for the establishment of legal systems. The notion of person we inherit from phenomenology can also be useful in facing juridical problems raised by the use of non-human decision-makers such as machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence applications.

13 anos depois: diálogos sobre a Interrupção Voluntária da Gestação em Portugal / 13 Years Later: Dialogues on Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy in Portugal

Resumo A Lei 16/2007 representou um marco na luta pelos direitos sexuais e reprodutivos das cidadãs portuguesas, instituindo a possibilidade da exclusão da ilicitude para as interrupções voluntárias da gestação, realizadas até a décima semana, por solicitação das mulheres. Através de uma pesquisa descritivo-analítica, objetivou-se conhecer a opinião das cidadãs e de investigadoras (atuantes na causa), frente a esse processo e às transformações que dele decorreram, com ênfase no contexto atual. Entre março e setembro de 2020 foram realizadas 12 entrevistas, divididas em duas etapas. Ao serem precedidas as técnicas da Análise de Discurso, chegou-se à existência de alguns pontos frágeis, como a incerteza sobre o acesso, a presença de julgamentos e as limitações interpostas pela objeção da consciência, que refletem as necessidades de ampliação das semanas gestacionais permitidas para a interrupção. Houve um reconhecimento quanto à segurança nos procedimentos, na liberdade das mulheres diante das suas escolhas, na maior abertura para o diálogo, fato este que contribuiu conjuntamente com o reforço no planejamento familiar. Para além dessas construções, novas demandas foram situadas.

Abstract Law 16/2007 represented a milestone in the quest for sexual and reproductive rights of Portuguese citizens, instituting the possibility of excluding all illegality for voluntary termination of pregnancy, performed until the 10th week, at the request of the women involved. Using a descriptive-analytical research, the objective was to establish the opinion of citizens and researchers (active in the cause), in the course of this process and the transformations that resulted from it, with emphasis on the current context. Between March and September, 12 interviews were conducted, divided into two stages. When the Discourse Analysis techniques were analyzed, there were some weak points, such as the uncertainty about access, the presence of judgments and the limitations interposed by the conscientious objectors, which reflect the need to expand the allowed gestational period for termination. There was recognition of security in procedures, women's freedom in their choices, greater openness to dialogue, a fact that contributed jointly with the strengthening of family planning. In addition to these constructions, new demands were configured.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on voluntary terminations of pregnancy in an Italian metropolitan area.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdown from 9 March to 4 May 2020 changed social, familial, and sexual relationships, as well as how citizens interact with the health services. How these profound changes have affected sexuality, contraception and voluntary terminations of pregnancy is still largely undescribed. The main objective of this study was therefore to find out whether the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown affected the demand for legal abortion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study period was divided into three phases: the pre-pandemic (January and February 2020); lockdown (March and April); and post-lockdown (May and June). The number and characteristics of women requesting pregnancy termination each month during that time were compared with the stats for the same months in the preceding three years (2017-2019). RESULTS: Immediately after national lockdown, the number of voluntary abortions markedly declined (-40.45%). The effect was more evident in women below 20 years of age (-66.67%), employed versus unemployed women (-42.71% vs. -21.05), and non-Italian versus Italian citizens (-53.01 vs. -32.85). No difference was found in the mean time from request to execution of the procedure, or in the type of the procedure used. CONCLUSION(S): National lockdown reduced the number of unwanted pregnancies, especially in younger women. The Italian health service's response to the demand appears to have been unaffected by the pandemic. However, as the demand for abortion is still high, probably due to unplanned pregnancies among cohabitants within a stable relationship, contraception guidance should be improved among women traditionally deemed low-risk in terms of sexual behaviour.

A Retrospective Observational Study to Assess the Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Spontaneous and Voluntary Abortivity in the Apulia Region of Italy.

The spread of COVID-19 in Italy required urgent restrictive measures that led to delays in access to care and to hospital overloads and impacts on the quality of services provided by the national health service. It is likely that the area related to maternal and child health was also affected. The objective of the study was to evaluate the intensity of a possible variation in spontaneous abortion (SA) and voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) rates in relation to the different restrictive public health measures adopted during the pandemic period of 2020. The analysis concerned the data collected on the SAs and VTPs from public and private structures in Apulia that related to the years 2019 and 2020. The SRR (standardized rate ratio) between the standardized rates by age group in 2019 and those in 2020 were calculated using a multivariable Poisson model, and it was applied to evaluate the effect of public health restrictions on the number of SAs and VTPs, considering other possible confounding factors. The SSR was significantly lower in the first months of the pandemic compared to the same period of the previous year, both for SAs and for VTPs. The major decrease in SAs and VTPs occurred during the total lockdown phase. The results, therefore, highlight how the measures to reduce infection risk could also have modified the demand for assistance related to pregnancy interruption.

The highly complex issue of conscientious objection to abortion: can the recent European Court of Human Rights ruling Grimmark v. Sweden redefine the notions of care before freedom of conscience?

PURPOSE: The article aims to elaborate on two recent European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) decisions which have rejected, on grounds of non-admissibility, the appeals by two Swedish midwives who refused to carry out abortion-related services, basing their refusal on conscientious objection, and to expound upon the legal and ethical underpinnings and core standards applied to the framing process of such a ECtHR decision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By drawing upon relevant recommendations from international institutions, the authors have aimed to assess how the ECtHR rationale could affect the balance between CO and patient rights; searches have been conducted up until December 2020. RESULTS: In both decisions the European Court has asserted that the right to exercise conscientious objection must give way to the protection of the right to health of women seeking to have an abortion. CONCLUSIONS: ECtHR judges concluded that the failure to provide for a right to conscientious objection does not constitute, in fact, a violation of the more general right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, if provided for by a state law to protect the right to health. The legal ethical and social ramifications of such a decision are of enormous magnitude.

Consideraciones útiles para el asesoramiento genético de pacientes con anomalía de Ebstein / Useful considerations for the genetic advice of patients with Ebstein anomaly

La anomalía de Ebstein es una rara enfermedad que consiste en un espectro variable de anomalías, resultado de una implantación anormal de la válvula tricúspide en el ventrículo derecho; por tal razón, es considerada una afección grave e incurable que origina una tendencia a la terminación voluntaria del embarazo como opción reproductiva en el marco del asesoramiento genético prenatal. Los adelantos en el diagnóstico y control clinicoquirúrgico de esta enfermedad han garantizado el incremento de la supervivencia y una mejor calidad de vida en estos pacientes. Además, han permitido ajustar factores clínicos que implican su evolución y pronóstico. Se realizan algunas valoraciones, a fin de proveer los argumentos necesarios que permitan a la pareja elegir un curso de acción apropiado con vistas a los riesgos y objetivos familiares basados en los principios éticos del asesoramiento genético.

Ebstein anomaly is a strange disease that consists on a variable spectrum of anomalies, due to an abnormal installation of the tricuspid valve in the right ventricle; reason why, it is considered a serious and incurable disorder that originates a tendency to the voluntary termination of pregnancy as reproductive option in the mark of prenatal genetic advice. The advances in the diagnosis and clinical surgical control of this disease have guaranteed the increment of survival and a better life quality in these patients. Also, they have allowed to adjust clinical factors that involve its clinical course and prognosis. Some valuations are carried out, in order to provide the necessary arguments that allow the couple to choose an appropriate action course aimed at the risks and family objectives based on the ethical principles of the genetic advice.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of contraceptive methods among women seeking voluntary termination of pregnancy at Jubilee Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa.

INTRODUCTION: There is an alarmingly high rate of women in South Africa, who are of childbearing age, who still opt for abortions or Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy (VTOP). Despite the availability of free contraceptive methods and health education in all health facilities across the country, to reduce and prevent unwanted pregnancies and VTOP there is still an alarming increase in the rate of VTOP. This study sought to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of contraceptive methods among women seeking voluntary termination of pregnancy at Jubilee Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa. METHODS: A across-sectional survey using a piloted, structured and self- administered questionnaire. Convenience sampling was applied and the sample size was 126. RESULT:   The mean age of the 126 participants was 26.1 years. Findings obtained after analysis of participants' data were grouped following the university categorisation. Below 50% referred as "poor" outcome, from 50 to 74% was referred as "satisfactory" outcome and beyond 74% was considered as "excellent" outcome. Knowledge was poor for 28 (22.2%) of women. It was satisfactory for 91 (72.2%) women and excellent for 7 (5.5%) women. Looking at the attitude: 124 (98.4%) approved the use of contraception, 1 (0.79%) disapproved and 1 (0,79%) abstained due to religious beliefs. Regarding the practice of contraception: 92 (73.0%) have already used contraceptive methods while 34 (27.0%) have not. CONCLUSION: In summary, the study showed a satisfactory knowledge of contraceptive methods, a positive attitude towards contraception and a huge number of participants who have already used contraceptive methods, among women seeking voluntary termination of pregnancy at Jubilee Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa.

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.

Los comités hospitalarios de bioética y la educación en salud: notas para la discusión

Este trabajo toma el caso mexicano de la exigencia legal de comités de bioética: comités hospitalarios de bioética ([CHB], comités de ética asistencial o comités de ética clínica) y los comités de ética en investigación (CEI); la Ley General de Salud hace obligatorios esos comités desde una modificación en 2011. La literatura refiere que los comités de bioética cuentan con tres funciones básicas: educativa, consultiva y normativa; por su parte el marco legal vigente retoma elementos teóricos importantes, uno de ellos corresponde a las funciones de los comités de bioética. Adicionalmente, profundiza en el análisis de la función educativa, toda vez que una buena parte de la literatura disponible se dirige a la función consultiva. Asimismo, se realizan algunas propuestas sobre contenidos en materia educativa. Así pues, es posible organizar grupos de problemas éticos en torno al inicio de la vida humana y problemas éticos alrededor del final de la vida humana. Efectivamente, hay muchos problemas éticos toda la vida, pero entrar o salir de la vida parece ser más conflictivo desde el punto de vista ético.

This paper takes the Mexican case of the legal requirement of bioethics committees: hospital bioethics committees (CHB; healthcare ethics committees or clinical ethics committees), and ethics committees in research (CEI). The General Health Law makes these committees compulsory since a modification in 2011. The literature says that bioethics committees have at least three basic functions: educational, advisory and normative. For its part, the current legal framework takes up important theoretical elements. One of which corresponds to the functions of bioethics committees. Also, it delves into the analysis of the educational function, since much of the available literature addresses the advisory role. Likewise, some proposals are made regarding contents in educational matters. Thus it is possible to organize groups of ethical problems around the beginning of human life and ethical problems around the end of human life. Indeed, there are many ethical problems along life, but getting in or out of life seems to be more controversial from the ethical point of view.

O presente trabalho pega o caso mexicano da exigência legal de comissões de bioética: comissões hospitalares de bioética (CHB; comissões de ética assistencial ou comissões de ética clinica) e os comissões de ética em investigação (CEI); a Lei Geral da Saúde torna obrigatórios estas comissões a partir de uma modificação em 2011. A literatura refere que as comissões de bioética têm três funções básicas: educativa, consultiva e de regulamentos; por sua vez, o quadro jurídico em vigor retoma elementos teóricos importantes, um deles corresponde às funções das comissões de bioética. Além disso, aprofunda na análise da função educativa, toda vez que uma grande parte da literatura disponível dirige-se à função consultiva. Além disso, realizam-se algumas propostas sobre os conteúdos referentes à educação. Assim então, é possível organizar grupos de questões éticas em torno a o início da vida humana e questões éticas em torno a o fim da vida humana. Na verdade, existem muitos problemas éticos a vida toda, mas entrar ou sair da vida parece ser mais controverso do ponto de vista ético.

The role of medical abortion in the implementation of the law on voluntary termination of pregnancy in Uruguay.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the implementation of the law that liberalizes voluntary abortion in Uruguay and enables health services to offer these services to the population. METHODS: The legal and regulatory provisions are described and the national data-provided by the Ministry of Public Health's National Information System (SINADI)-on the number of voluntary terminations of pregnancy, the abortion method (medical or surgical), and whether it was performed as an outpatient or inpatient are analyzed. To determine complications, the number of maternal deaths and admissions to intensive care units for pregnant women was used. The study period ran from December 1, 2012, to December 31, 2014. RESULTS: A total of 15 996 abortions were performed during the study period; only 1.2% were surgical and 98.8% were medical. Of the latter, only 3.4% required hospitalization. Less than half of the pregnancies were terminated up to 9weeks of gestation and 54% were at 10 to 12weeks in a sample from the Pereira Rossell Hospital. CONCLUSION: The rapid nationwide rollout of voluntary termination of pregnancy services to all women was possible to a large degree thanks to the availability and broad acceptance of medical abortion, facilitated by the prior experience in applying the risk and harm reduction strategy.

Evolution of adolescent fertility after decriminalization of abortion in Montevideo, Uruguay.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect on adolescent fertility in Montevideo of the Uruguayan law on the voluntary termination of pregnancy that was passed in 2012. METHODS: The change in the number of births to teenage mothers between 2010 and 2014 was analyzed, along with their characteristics before and after decriminalization of abortion. RESULTS: Descriptive analysis of abortion before and after decriminalization showed that there was no reduction, during the period analyzed, in adolescent fertility, nor any changes in the distribution of births. CONCLUSION: The normative change brought about by the law on the voluntary termination of pregnancy was not associated with any substantial change in the reproductive behavior of adolescents in Montevideo. We recommend that this analysis is taken further with impact evaluation methodologies.

Evolution of adolescent fertility after decriminalization of abortion in Montevideo, Uruguay.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect on adolescent fertility in Montevideo of the Uruguayan law on the voluntary termination of pregnancy that was passed in 2012. METHODS: The change in the number of births to teenage mothers between 2010 and 2014 was analyzed, along with their characteristics before and after decriminalization of abortion. RESULTS: Descriptive analysis of abortion before and after decriminalization showed that there was no reduction, during the period analyzed, in adolescent fertility, nor any changes in the distribution of births. CONCLUSION: The normative change brought about by the law on the voluntary termination of pregnancy was not associated with any substantial change in the reproductive behavior of adolescents in Montevideo. We recommend that this analysis is taken further with impact evaluation methodologies.

The role of medical abortion in the implementation of the law on voluntary termination of pregnancy in Uruguay.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the implementation of the law that liberalizes voluntary abortion in Uruguay and enables health services to offer these services to the population. METHODS: The legal and regulatory provisions are described and the national data-provided by the Ministry of Public Health's National Information System (SINADI)-on the number of voluntary terminations of pregnancy, the abortion method (medical or surgical), and whether it was performed as an outpatient or inpatient are analyzed. To determine complications, the number of maternal deaths and admissions to intensive care units for pregnant women was used. The study period ran from December 1, 2012, to December 31, 2014. RESULTS: A total of 15 996 abortions were performed during the study period; only 1.2% were surgical and 98.8% were medical. Of the latter, only 3.4% required hospitalization. Less than half of the pregnancies were terminated up to 9 weeks of gestation and 54% were at 10 to 12 weeks in a sample from the Pereira Rossell Hospital. CONCLUSION: The rapid nationwide rollout of voluntary termination of pregnancy services to all women was possible to a large degree thanks to the availability and broad acceptance of medical abortion, facilitated by the prior experience in applying the risk and harm reduction strategy.

Mitos y realidades sobre la objeción de conciencia en la praxis médica / Myths and Facts about Conscientious Objection in Medical Praxis / Mitos e realidades sobre a objeção de consciência na práxis médica

El presente escrito estudiará la objeción de conciencia en un plano general, para luego analizarla en el marco de la praxis médica, con el fin de responder: ¿Qué constituye realmente la objeción de conciencia? ¿Cuál es su fundamento? ¿Quiénes la pueden alegar dentro del ejercicio de la medicina? ¿Qué prácticas pueden ser objeto de la objeción? ¿Cómo funciona la objeción dentro de un escenario de equipo médico? ¿Qué implicaciones legales tiene su aplicación en el campo médico-sanitario?, entre otros interrogantes.

This paper will study conscientious objection at a general level, and then analyze it in the context of medical practice, in order to answer questions such as what actually constitutes conscientious objection?, what is its basis?, who can claim it within the medical practice?, what practices may be subject to the objection?, how does the objection work within a medical team?, what are the legal consequences of applying it in the field of health care, among other questions.

O presente escrito estudará a objeção de consciência em um plano geral, para depois analisá-la no marco da práxis médica, com o fim de responder: Que constitui realmente a objeção de consciência? Qual é se fundamento? Quem pode alegá-la dentro do exercício da medicina? Quais práticas podem ser objeto da objeção? Como funciona a objeção dentro de um cenário de equipe médica? Que implicações legais tem sua aplicação no campo médico-sanitário?, entre outros interrogantes.

Changes in sexual function after medical or surgical termination of pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Voluntary termination of pregnancy (TOP) is a social issue; however, even if it is one of the most common procedures performed in the world, few studies evaluated sexual function changes after medical or surgical TOP. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate how first trimester TOP by either surgical (group 1) or medical procedure (group 2) affects sexual function. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 211 patients (132 in group 1 and 79 in group 2) who requested first trimester TOP between September 2010 and May 2012. Medical TOP (mifepristone and misoprostol) was offered to patients up to 49 days of gestation. Surgical TOP was performed up to 12 weeks. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to evaluate sexual function before TOP, after 1, 3, and 6 months from TOP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in the FSFI values and number of sexual active patients after 1, 3, and 6 months from the TOP and the self-reported quality of sexual life at 6 months, with the two different procedures, were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: At 4-week follow-up, 23.6% of women in group 1 did not resume sexual intercourse compared with 5.4% of women in group 2 (P = 0.003). At 6 months, 3.3% of women in the group 1 and no women in the group 2 did not resume sexual intercourses (P = 0.123). Compared with women in group 2, those in group 1 had lower FSFI score and number of sexual intercourses at 1, 3, and 6 months follow-up (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the number of sexually active women and the overall FSFI are reduced in women undergoing surgical TOP compared with those undergoing medical TOP. Counseling regarding sexual function changes should be included in the discussion of morbidity related to medical or surgical TOP.