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How women perceive abortion care: A study focusing on healthy women and those with mental and posttraumatic stress
Sophiahemmet University.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3755-4504
Sophiahemmet University.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2626-2335
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2015 (English)In: European journal of contraception & reproductive health care, ISSN 1362-5187, E-ISSN 1473-0782, Vol. 20, no 3, p. 211-222Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objectives To identify perceived deficiencies in the quality of abortion care among healthy women and those with mental stress. Methods This multi-centre cohort study included six obstetrics and gynaecology departments in Sweden. Posttraumatic stress (PTSD/PTSS) was assessed using the Screen Questionnaire-Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; anxiety and depressive symptoms, using the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale; and abortion quality perceptions, using a modified version of the Quality from the Patient's Perspective questionnaire. Pain during medical abortion was assessed in a subsample using a visual analogue scale. Results Overall, 16% of the participants assessed the abortion care as being deficient, and 22% experienced intense pain during medical abortion. Women with PTSD/PTSS more often perceived the abortion care as deficient overall and differed from healthy women in reports of deficiencies in support, respectful treatment, opportunities for privacy and rest, and availability of support from a significant person during the procedure. There was a marginally significant difference between PTSD/PTSS and the comparison group for insufficient pain alleviation. Conclusions Women with PTSD/PTSS perceived abortion care to be deficient more often than did healthy women. These women do require extra support, relatively simple efforts to provide adequate pain alleviation, support and privacy during abortion may improve abortion care.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2015. Vol. 20, no 3, p. 211-222
Keywords [en]
Abortion, Ambulatory care facilities, Anxiety, Depression, Posttraumatic stress disorders, Stress disorders
National Category
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:shh:diva-1787DOI: 10.3109/13625187.2014.1002032PubMedID: 25666812OAI: oai:DiVA.org:shh-1787DiVA, id: diva2:789908
Available from: 2015-02-20 Created: 2015-02-20 Last updated: 2020-06-02Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Induced Abortions and Posttraumatic Stress - Is there any relation?: A Swedish multi-centre study
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Induced Abortions and Posttraumatic Stress - Is there any relation?: A Swedish multi-centre study
2014 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Introduction: Induced abortion is a common medical intervention. Whether psychological sequelae might follow induced abortion has long been a subject of concern among researchers, and there is lack of knowledge about the relationship between posttraumatic disorder (PTSD) and induced abortion. Aims: To study and compare PTSD, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and anxiety- and depressive symptoms among women seeking abortion, allowing for demographic variables. Further aims were to assess risk factors and to assess PTSD and PTSS following induced abortion in relation to experienced care at the clinic. Methods: This was a multi-centre cohort study targeting women who requested an induced abortion at the outpatient clinics of the gynaecology and obstetrics departments of six public hospitals in Sweden. All women who requested an induced abortion before the end of gestational week 12 were approached for participation. PTSD, PTSS, anxiety- and depressive symptoms, personality traits and women’s perceptions of abortion care were measured by means of questionnaires. Measurements were made at the first visit before the abortion as well as three- and six-months thereafter. Data collection was performed from September 2009 to January 2011. Results: 1,514 women filled out the questionnaire before the abortion. Abortion-seeking women did not suffer from PTSD to a greater extent than the general Swedish female population. Few women (51/720) developed PTSD or PTSS after the abortion, 11 did so due to trauma experience related to the abortion. Women at risk of posttraumatic stress were more likely to be young, having anxiety- or depressive symptoms and personality traits related to neuroticism. Furthermore, women with PTSD or PTSS were more likely to perceive certain aspects of the abortion care as deficient. Conclusions: The vast majority of women coped well with the induced abortion. Few developed posttraumatic stress post abortion. The majority did so because of trauma experiences unrelated to the induced abortion. Young women and women with mental distress are vulnerable groups that need to be paid attention to in abortion care. These women are at risk for negative experiences of the abortion care, and may be at risk of PTSD or PTSS post abortion

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis, 2014. p. 73
Series
Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Medicine, ISSN 1651-6206 ; 1022
Keywords
Abortion induced, Stress disorders posttraumatic, Anxiety, Depression, Mental health, Personality traits, Ambulatory care facilities
National Category
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:shh:diva-1692 (URN)978-91-554-9014-0 (ISBN)
Public defence
2014-10-10, Eva Netzelius-salen, Blåsenhus, von Kraemers allé 1A, Uppsala, 09:15 (Swedish)
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Available from: 2014-09-23 Created: 2014-09-23 Last updated: 2020-06-02Bibliographically approved

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Wallin Lundell, IngerGeorgsson Öhman, Susanne

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