Depressão, aspectos emocionais e sociais na vivência do aborto: comparação entre duas capitais Brasileiras / Depression, emotional and social aspects in the abortion context: a comparison between two brazilian capitals

OBJETIVO: Avaliar aspectos emocionais e sociais na vivência do aborto e o diagnóstico de depressão maior comparando mulheres de duas capitais brasileiras (São Paulo e Natal). MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado de janeiro de 2009 a maio de 2010, envolvendo a realização de entrevistas semidirigidas com mulheres em situação de abortamento (interrupção até a 22a semana de gestação) atendidas em hospitais universitários de São Paulo (n = 166) e Natal (n = 150). Para o diagnóstico de depressão, foi aplicada a versão em português do instrumento Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD). RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença significativa (p = 0,223) na proporção de abortamentos provocados: Natal (7,3 por cento) e São Paulo (12,0 por cento). O diagnóstico de depressão foi elevado nas mulheres em situação de abortamento, em proporção significativamente maior na cidade de Natal do que em São Paulo (50,7 por cento contra 32,5 por cento, respectivamente, p < 0,01). Quanto aos aspectos emocionais, não houve diferença na ocorrência de sentimentos de culpa (Natal 27,7 por cento; São Paulo 23,3 por cento; p = 0,447). A participação do companheiro foi satisfatória pelas mulheres em proporção semelhante nas capitais (Natal 62,0 por cento; São Paulo 59,0 por cento; p = 0,576). Não se constata diferença na proporção de mulheres que relatam ter sofrido violência, relacionada ou não ao aborto (Natal 22,9 por cento; São Paulo 16,6 por cento; p = 0,378). CONCLUSÃO: Embora não tenha sido constatada diferença entre os aspectos emocionais e sociais na comparação entre as duas capitais, verificou-se elevada proporção de mulheres com depressão maior, sendo mais frequente na cidade de Natal, o que denota a importância de suporte psicossocial nos serviços de atenção à saúde da mulher.

OBJECTIVE: To assess emotional and social aspects in the experience of abortion and the diagnosis of major depression, comparing women from two Brazilian cities (São Paulo - SP, Natal - RN). METHODS: A transversal study was carried out from January 2009 to May 2010, through semi-directed interviews with women undergoing an abortion (up to 22 weeks gestation) treated at university hospitals in São Paulo - SP (n = 166) and Natal - RN (n = 150). The Portuguese version of the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) instrument was applied for the diagnosis of depression. RESULTS: There was no significant difference (p = 0.223) in the proportion of induced abortions when comparing the two capital cities: Natal (7.3 percent) and São Paulo (12.0 percent). The diagnosis of depression was high among women undergoing an abortion and was significantly higher in Natal than in São Paulo (50.7 percent vs. 32.5 percent, p < 0.01). Regarding emotional aspects, there was no difference in the occurrence of guilt feelings (Natal 27.7 percent; São Paulo 23.3 percent; p = 0.447). The partner's involvement was considered satisfactory by women in similar proportions in the two capitals (Natal 62.0 percent; São Paulo 59.0 percent, p = 0.576). No difference was found in the proportion of women who reported violence, related or not to the abortion (Natal 22.9 percent; São Paulo 16.6 percent; p = 0.378). CONCLUSION: Although there was no difference between the emotional and social aspects in the comparison between the two capitals, there was a high proportion of women with major depression, more frequent in the city of Natal than in São Paulo, which demonstrates the importance of psychosocial support in the women's healthcare system.

Depression, emotional and social aspects in the abortion context: a comparison between two Brazilian capitals.

OBJECTIVE: To assess emotional and social aspects in the experience of abortion and the diagnosis of major depression, comparing women from two Brazilian cities (São Paulo--SP, Natal--RN). METHODS: A transversal study was carried out from January 2009 to May 2010, through semi-directed interviews with women undergoing an abortion (up to 22 weeks gestation) treated at university hospitals in São Paulo--SP (n = 166) and Natal--RN (n = 150). The Portuguese version of the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) instrument was applied for the diagnosis of depression. RESULTS: There was no significant difference (p = 0.223) in the proportion of induced abortions when comparing the two capital cities: Natal (7.3%) and São Paulo (12.0%). The diagnosis of depression was high among women undergoing an abortion and was significantly higher in Natal than in São Paulo (50.7% vs. 32.5%, p < 0.01). Regarding emotional aspects, there was no difference in the occurrence of guilt feelings (Natal 27.7%; São Paulo 23.3%; p = 0.447). The partner's involvement was considered satisfactory by women in similar proportions in the two capitals (Natal 62.0%; São Paulo 59.0%, p = 0.576). No difference was found in the proportion of women who reported violence, related or not to the abortion (Natal 22.9%; São Paulo 16.6%; p = 0.378). CONCLUSION: Although there was no difference between the emotional and social aspects in the comparison between the two capitals, there was a high proportion of women with major depression, more frequent in the city of Natal than in São Paulo, which demonstrates the importance of psychosocial support in the women's healthcare system.