Role of Social and Informational Support while Deciding on Pregnancy Termination for Medical Reasons

Kornelia Zaręba, Marta Makara-Studzińska, Michał Ciebiera, Jacek Gierus and Grzegorz Jakiel
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Kornelia Zaręba: First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, 00-416 Warsaw, Poland
Marta Makara-Studzińska: Faculty of Clinical Health Psychology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-501 Krakow, Poland
Michał Ciebiera: Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland
Jacek Gierus: Department of Psychiatry, Department of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 05-802 Warsaw, Poland
Grzegorz Jakiel: First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, 00-416 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-13

Abstract: Background : Poland is a country with restrictive laws concerning abortion, which is only allowed if the mother’s life and health are in danger, in case of rape, and severe defects in the fetus. This paper specifies the forms of support expected by women considering termination from their family, people in their surroundings and professional medical personnel. Methods : Between June 2014 and May 2016 patients eligible to terminate a pregnancy for medical reasons were asked to complete an anonymous survey consisting of sixty questions to determine patient profile and forms of support expected from the society, family and professional medical personnel as well as to assess informational support provided. Results : Women do not take into consideration society’s opinion on pregnancy termination (95%). The majority of the respondents think that financial support from the state is not sufficient to provide for sick children (81%). Despite claiming to have a medium standard of life (75%), nearly half of the respondents (45%) say that they do not have the financial resources to take care of a sick child. The women have informed their partner (97%) and closest family members (82%) and a low percentage have informed friends (32%). Nearly one third (31%) have not talked to the attending gynecologist about their decision. Conclusions : The decision to terminate a pregnancy is made by mature women with a stable life situation—supported by their partner and close family. They do not expect systemic support, as they believe it is marginal, and only seek emotional support from their closest family. They appreciate support provided by professional medical personnel if it is personal.

Keywords: pregnancy termination; abortion; fetal defects; social support; medical community; medical information (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:12:p:2854-:d:190482

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