RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In France, women seeking abortion must do so before the maximum legal limit of 12 weeks of pregnancy (14 Gestational Weeks). Women seeking abortion after the 12-week limit tend to travel to the Netherlands, where the maximum legal limit is 22 weeks of pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to identify the profile and circumstances of women who travel from France to the Netherlands for a late abortion. METHODS: A descriptive, monocentric study was conducted in a Dutch abortion clinic, where a standardized, anonymous questionnaire was administered to women from France, holding an appointment for late abortion. Data was collected from July 2020 to December 2020. Data analysis was performed with R 4.0.3 software. RESULTS: Thirty-seven women participated in the study. Most of the women were young (15-25 y. o.), without any prior pregnancy, single, in paid employment, with an educational level less than or equal to a high school degree. Most of the women had regular gynaecological follow-up, used contraception, mostly birth control pills, and had already discussed emergency contraception or abortion with a healthcare professional. The women had delayed awareness of their pregnancy and visited the clinic at 18 weeks of pregnancy or later, beyond the 12-week French legal limit for abortion. CONCLUSION: Risk factors likely to lead to medical tourism for late abortion include young age (15-25 y. o.), first pregnancy, being insufficiently informed about available contraceptive methods.
Asunto(s)
Aborto Inducido , Turismo Médico , Embarazo , Femenino , Humanos , Anticoncepción , Europa (Continente) , Anticonceptivos Orales , Aborto LegalRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Social science concepts (intimate distance, personal space) suggest that the gynecological examination environment (GEE) might influence women’s feelings during the exam.Purpose of research: We explore this hypothesis by assessing women’s preferences for the GEE. RESULTS: An opinion poll was conducted, without randomization to explore women’s point of view. In 2017, questionnaires were referred to women by 14 general practitioners in the Lille region. Among 173 answers, 73% granted importance to the medical setting, especially to a comfortable ambiance and an isolated place during an exam (to respect women’s privacy). Women expected at least: a separation of consultation/examination (77%), disposal of sanitary towels (80%), a place to leave clothes and underwear (74%), a changing area (56%). Fifty-five percent judged it unnecessary to cover the lower body. Concerning the examination table: comfort was satisfactory (93%), “calm and peaceful colors” were appreciated, but clamps should be improved. CONCLUSIONS: The GEE is characterized by a balance of natural comfort and a sequentially delimited spatial configuration. The study revealed cultural and subjective dimensions of privacy. Physicians need to apply psychosocial competences to perform a person-centered gynecological exam.