The Shift From Criminalization to Legalization of Abortion in Argentina.

This Viewpoint discusses passage and implementation of Law 27.610, which legalized abortion in Argentina under certain circumstances, and examines the ongoing clinical issues and legal challenges to the law.

From Embryotomy to Cesarean: Changes in Obstetric Operatory Techniques in Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Urban Brazil.

This article traces the historical processes by which Brazil became a world leader in cesarean sections. It demonstrates that physicians changed their position toward and use of different obstetric surgeries, in particular embryotomies and cesarean sections, over the course of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The authors demonstrate that Catholic obstetricians, building upon both advancements in cesarean section techniques and new civil legislation that gave some personhood to fetuses, began arguing that fetal life was on par with its maternal counterpart in the early twentieth century, a shift that had a lasting impact on obstetric practice for decades to come. In the second half of the twentieth century, cesarean sections proliferated in clinical practice, but abortions remained illegal. Most importantly, women remained patients to be worked on rather than active participants in their reproductive lives.

What does informal access to misoprostol in Colombia look like? A mystery client methodology in Bogotá and the Coffee Axis.

INTRODUCTION: In 2006, abortion was decriminalised in Colombia under certain circumstances. Yet, women avail themselves of ways to terminate pregnancy outside of the formal health system. This study explored how drug sellers engage with women who attempt to purchase misoprostol from them. METHODS: A mapping exercise was undertaken to list small-chain and independent drug stores in two regions in Colombia. A sample (n=558) of drug stores was selected from this list and visited by mystery clients between November and December 2017. Mystery clients sought to obtain a medication to bring back a delayed period, and described the experience, the information obtained and the medications proffered in exit interviews. RESULTS: Misoprostol was offered for purchase in 15% of the visits; in half of visits, only information about misoprostol was shared, while no information about misoprostol was provided on the remaining visits. Over half of sellers who refused to sell any medication provided referrals, most commonly to an abortion provider. Among visits which included discussion of misoprostol, two out of five sellers provided dosage instructions with most recommending the minimum adequate dosage. Mystery clients received little information on the physical effects to expect with the use of misoprostol and possible complications. CONCLUSIONS: As misoprostol is being obtained from some drug sellers without a prescription, capacitating this cadre with at least a minimum of standardised information on dosage, routes of administration and expected effects and outcomes have the potential to improve reproductive health outcomes for women who choose to terminate pregnancies this way in Colombia.

USA aid policy and induced abortion in sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis of the Mexico City Policy.

BACKGROUND: The Mexico City Policy, first announced by US President Ronald Reagan and since lifted and reinstated by presidents along partisan lines, prohibits US foreign assistance to any organisation that performs or provides counselling on abortion. Many organisations affected by this policy are also providers of modern contraception. If the policy reduces these organisations' ability to supply modern contraceptives, it could have the unintended consequence of increasing abortion rates. METHODS: We empirically examined patterns of modern contraception use, pregnancies, and abortion among women in 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa in response to the reinstatement and subsequent repeal of the Mexico City Policy across three presidential administrations (William Clinton, George W Bush, and Barack Obama). We combine individual-level data on pregnancies and abortions from 743 691 women, country-year data on modern contraception use, and annual data on development assistance for family planning and reproductive health in a difference-in-difference framework to examine relative changes in use of modern contraception, pregnancy, and abortion in response to the policy. FINDINGS: We found that when the Mexico City Policy was in effect (2001-08), abortion rates rose among women in countries highly exposed to the policy by 4·8 abortions per 10 000 woman-years (95% CI 1·5 to 8·1, p=0·0041) relative to women in low-exposure countries and relative to periods when the policy was rescinded in 1995-2000 and 2009-14, a rise of approximately 40%. We found a symmetric reduction in use of modern contraception by 3·15 percentage points (relative decrease of 13·5%; 95% CI -4·9 to -1·4; p=0·0006) and increase in pregnancies by 3·2 percentage points (relative increase of 12%; 95% CI 1·6 to 4·8; p<0·0001) while the policy was enacted. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that curbing US assistance to family planning organisations, especially those that consider abortion as a method of family planning, increases abortion prevalence in sub-Saharan African countries most affected by the policy. FUNDING: The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Stanford Earth Dean's Fellowship.

Spontaneous and induced abortion trends and determinants in the Northeast semiarid region of Brazil: a transversal series / Tendência de abortos espontâneos e induzidos na região semiárida do Nordeste do Brasil: uma série transversal

Abstract Objectives: this study intends to estimate the rates, associated factors and trends of selfreported abortion rates in the northeast of Brazil. Methods: series of population-based surveys realized in Ceará, northeast of Brazil, one of the poorest states in the country. A sample of about 27,000 women of reproductive age was used. Abortion was assessed according to women´s information and rates were calculated using official population estimates. The trends and the association among socioeconomic and reproductive factors were studied using regressive models. Results: a trend for reduction in rates was identified. For induced abortion, the determinants were: not having a partner, condom in the last sexual intercourse, first child up to 25years old (AOR= 5.21; ACI: 2.9 - 9.34) and having less than 13years old at first sexual intercourse (AOR= 5.88; ACI: 3.29 - 10.51). For spontaneous abortion were: having studied less than 8 years, knowledge and use of morning-after pill (AOR= 26.44; ACI: 17.9 - 39.05) and not having any children (AOR= 3.43). Conclusions: rates may have been low due to self-reporting. Young age and knowledge about contraceptive methods were associated to both kinds of abortion, while education level along with spontaneous and marital status with induced. Programs to reduce abortion rates should focus on single younger women with low education.

Resumo Objetivos: este estudo objetiva estimar as taxas, fatores associados e tendência das taxas de aborto no Nordeste do Brasil. Métodos: série de estudos transversais realizada no Ceará, um dos estados mais pobres do país. Uma amostra de cerca de 27000 mulheres em idade reprodutiva foi utilizada. A ocorrência de aborto foi aferida através de informação dada pela participante e taxas foram calculadas usando estimativas populacionais oficiais. As tendências e associações entre fatores socioeconômicos e reprodutivos foram estudadas através de modelos regressivos. Resultados: foi identificada tendência de redução nas taxas de abortamento. Para aborto induzido, os determinantes foram não ter um parceiro fixo, ter utilizado camisinha na última relação sexual, ter tido o primeiro filho com menos de 25 anos (AOR= 5,21; ACI: 2,9 - 9,34), e ter tido a primeira relação com menos de 13 anos (AOR= 5,88; ACI: 3,29 - 10,51). Para o espontâneo, ter estudado menos de oito anos, conhecimento sobre a pílula do dia seguinte (AOR= 26,44; ACI: 17,9 - 39,05), e não ter filhos (AOR= 3,43). Conclusões: as taxas podem ser subestimadas por serem auto relatadas. Estar na adolescência e ter conhecimento sobre métodos contraceptivos foram associados aos dois tipos de aborto, enquanto nível educacional com o espontâneo e estado conjugal com induzido. Programas para reduzir taxas de abortamento deveriam focar em mulheres solteiras e com baixa educação.

[Is abortion a serious public health problem in Chile in the field of maternal-perinatal health?] / Aborto, ¿es un problema de salud pública en Chile en el campo de la salud materno-perinatal?

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization, by 2014, estimates that approximately 22 million unsafe abortions take place every year in the world, almost all of them in developing countries. The Millennium Goals, as part of the fifth compendium, focused on maternal health by proposing that member states should reduce maternal mortality to 75% by 2015. AIM: To determine, using maternal health indicators, if abortion in Chile is a priority health problem. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data about maternal mortality and its causes between 1982 and 2014, was obtained from the databases available at the Chilean Ministry of Health. Trend analyzes were carried out using linear autoregressive models. RESULTS: Between 1982 and 2012, maternal mortality rates decreased from 51.8 to 18.3 per 100,000 live births. Complications of pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium were the first three causes and the last one is abortion. The proportion of abortions due to unspecified causes, including induced abortion, decreased from 36.6% to 26.1% between 2001 and 2012. CONCLUSIONS: Abortion is not a public health problem in Chile. To continue reducing maternal mortality, programs for the early detection of risks such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension should be implemented.

Aborto, ¿es un problema de salud pública en Chile en el campo de la salud materno-perinatal? / Is abortion a serious public health problem in Chile in the field of maternal-perinatal health?

Background: The World Health Organization, by 2014, estimates that approximately 22 million unsafe abortions take place every year in the world, almost all of them in developing countries. The Millennium Goals, as part of the fifth compendium, focused on maternal health by proposing that member states should reduce maternal mortality to 75% by 2015. Aim: To determine, using maternal health indicators, if abortion in Chile is a priority health problem. Material and Methods: Data about maternal mortality and its causes between 1982 and 2014, was obtained from the databases available at the Chilean Ministry of Health. Trend analyzes were carried out using linear autoregressive models. Results: Between 1982 and 2012, maternal mortality rates decreased from 51.8 to 18.3 per 100,000 live births. Complications of pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium were the first three causes and the last one is abortion. The proportion of abortions due to unspecified causes, including induced abortion, decreased from 36.6% to 26.1% between 2001 and 2012. Conclusions: Abortion is not a public health problem in Chile. To continue reducing maternal mortality, programs for the early detection of risks such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension should be implemented.

Study protocol on establishment of sentinel sites network for contraceptive and abortion trends, needs and utilization of services in Zika virus affected countries.

BACKGROUND: ZIKV(Zika Virus) during pregnancy can result in many adverse events such as fetal deaths or newborns with congenital abnormalities including microcephaly and other neural irregularities. Due to these harmful outcomes of pregnancy associated with the Zika virus, we can expect to see a change in the type and scale of demand for family planning and safe abortion services in areas affected by the Zika virus. The monitoring and reporting capacities of the local health clinics in these areas could benefit from the introduction of infrastructural improvements necessary to establish a sentinel site network. Through these sites, the WHO will collect data on the situation from local health professionals to get real time information from the population group and act accordingly to mitigate the consequences of the Zika virus outbreak in a localized and culturally appropriate way. The objectives are to establish a sentinel sites surveillance network for reporting on uptake and utilization of contraception and safe abortion care services; to strengthen monitoring, and data quality assurance in the selected sentinel surveillance sites; and finally to assess the contraception and safe abortion care service utilization trends in the affected sites on a regular basis. METHODS: The proposal includes a set of objectives and actions that enable the creation of a set of criteria for the selection of the sentinel sites, as well the implementation of monitoring and reporting systems that will be used in data collection. DISCUSSION: The data collected will be used to better understand the changing demand for family planning and safe abortion needs. This will ultimately be used to inform local health workers and policy makers as to how best to track the continued Zika virus outbreak and mitigate the consequences. The learning from establishment of surveillance sentinel sites will help to strengthen health systems at regional and subregional levels that are more adaptable and capable of providing reproductive healthcare services and of responding to future emergencies.

Contextual determinants of induced abortion: a panel analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the contextual and individual characteristics that explain the differences in the induced abortion rate, temporally and territorially. METHODS: We conducted an econometric analysis with panel data of the influence of public investment in health and per capita income on induced abortion as well as a measurement of the effect of social and economic factors related to the labor market and reproduction: female employment, immigration, adolescent fertility and marriage rate. The empirical exercise was conducted with a sample of 22 countries in Europe for the 2001-2009 period. RESULTS: The great territorial variability of induced abortion was the result of contextual and individual socioeconomic factors. Higher levels of national income and investments in public health reduce its incidence. The following sociodemographic characteristics were also significant regressors of induced abortion: female employment, civil status, migration, and adolescent fertility. CONCLUSIONS: Induced abortion responds to sociodemographic patterns, in which the characteristics of each country are essential. The individual and contextual socioeconomic inequalities impact significantly on its incidence. Further research on the relationship between economic growth, labor market, institutions and social norms is required to better understand its transnational variability and to reduce its incidence.

Contextual determinants of induced abortion: a panel analysis / Determinantes contextuales del aborto inducido: un análisis panel

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Analyze the contextual and individual characteristics that explain the differences in the induced abortion rate, temporally and territorially. METHODS We conducted an econometric analysis with panel data of the influence of public investment in health and per capita income on induced abortion as well as a measurement of the effect of social and economic factors related to the labor market and reproduction: female employment, immigration, adolescent fertility and marriage rate. The empirical exercise was conducted with a sample of 22 countries in Europe for the 2001-2009 period. RESULTS The great territorial variability of induced abortion was the result of contextual and individual socioeconomic factors. Higher levels of national income and investments in public health reduce its incidence. The following sociodemographic characteristics were also significant regressors of induced abortion: female employment, civil status, migration, and adolescent fertility. CONCLUSIONS Induced abortion responds to sociodemographic patterns, in which the characteristics of each country are essential. The individual and contextual socioeconomic inequalities impact significantly on its incidence. Further research on the relationship between economic growth, labor market, institutions and social norms is required to better understand its transnational variability and to reduce its incidence.

RESUMEN OBJETIVO Analizar las características contextuales e individuales que explican las diferencias en la tasa de aborto inducido, temporal y territorialmente. MÉTODOS Se realizó un análisis econométrico, con datos panel, de la influencia de la inversión pública en salud y renta per cápita sobre el aborto inducido, además de una medición del efecto de factores sociales y económicos relacionados con el mercado laboral y con la reproducción: empleo femenino, inmigración, fecundidad adolescente y nupcialidad. El ejercicio empírico se realizó con una muestra de 22 países de Europa, para el periodo 2001-2009. RESULTADOS La gran variabilidad territorial del aborto inducido fue consecuencia de factores socioeconómicos contextuales e individuales. Mayores niveles de renta nacional y de inversiones en salud pública, reducen su incidencia. Las siguientes características sociodemográficas también fueron regresores significativos del aborto inducido: empleo femenino, estado civil, migración y fecundidad adolescente. CONCLUSIONES El aborto inducido responde a patrones sociodemográficos, en los que las peculiaridades de cada país son fundamentales. Las desigualdades socioeconómicas, a nivel individual y contextual, afectan de forma significativa su incidencia. Es necesaria más investigación acerca de relaciones entre crecimiento económico, mercado laboral, instituciones y normas sociales, para comprender mejor su variabilidad transnacional, y para poder reducir su incidencia.

Induced and unsafe abortion 20 years after the International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 94: prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics. Favela México 70, São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil / Aborto induzido e inseguro 20 anos após a Conferência Internacional de População e Desenvolvimento, Cairo, 94: prevalência e características sociodemográficas. Favela México 70, São Vicente, São Paulo, Brasil

Objective: This research aimed at calculating the prevalence of women with induced and unsafe abortion and spontaneous abortion as well as the sociodemographic characteristics associated to them in a low income population. Method: It consists of a cross-sectional study, with a random sample of women in fertile age from 15 to 49 years of age, living in Favela México 70, in São Vicente-SP, performed in the last quarter of 2008. The method used for the analysis of the data was the Multiple Multinomial Logistic Regression in order to determine the main independent variables associated to the occurrence of induced abortion, with CI=95% and p<0.05. The statistical analyses were performed with the help of the SPSS software, version 17.0.Results: Among the 860 women from 15 to 49 years of age living in this community, it was observed a median of 2 pregnancies for women without abortions and, for women who reported induced abortion, 51 women, a median of 4 pregnancies. It was also observed a mean of 2.53 live born children/women in the studied population. In the final Multiple Multinomial Logistic Regression model, there remained the following categorized independent variables: “number of live born children>2″ (OR=4.0), showing that women with 2 or more children have a 4-time-higher chance of inducing an abortion and “accepting abortion by lack of economic conditions” (OR=11.5), which indicates that women without economic conditions of continuing pregnancy and/or raising one more child present an 11.5-time-higher chance of inducing an abortion. Conclusions: It may be concluded that, by lack of an efficient contraception system and family planning, women with low income up to now, after 20 years of the International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 1994, resort to induced and unsafe abortion in order to diminish their own fertility and family size, in face of an unintended, unwanted or inopportune pregnancy.

Objetivo: Calcular a prevalência de mulheres com aborto provocado e inseguro e de aborto espontâneo, bem como as características sociodemográficas a eles associadas em uma população de baixa renda. Método: Estudo transversal, com amostra aleatória de mulheres em idade fértil de 15 a 49 anos, residentes na Favela México 70, em São Vicente (SP), efetuada no último trimestre de 2008. O método usado para a análise dos dados foi a regressão logística multinomial múltipla para determinar as principais variáveis independentes associadas à ocorrência de aborto provocado, com IC=95% e p<0,05. As análises estatísticas foram feitas com o auxílio do programa SPSS versão 17.0.Resultados: Entre as 860 mulheres de 15 a 49 anos residentes nessa comunidade observou-se mediana de duas gestações para as sem aborto. Para as que declararam aborto provocado, 51, uma mediana de quatro gestações. Foi observada ainda média de 2,53 filhos nascidos vivos/mulher na população em estudo. No modelo final de regressão logística multinomial múltipla permaneceram as seguintes variáveis independentes categorizadas: “número de filhos nascidos vivos>2″ (OR=4,0), mostra que as mulheres com dois ou mais filhos apresentam uma chance quatro vezes maior de provocar um aborto; e “aceitação do aborto por falta de condições econômicas” (OR=11,5), indica que as mulheres sem condições econômicas de prosseguir na gestação e/ou criar mais um filho apresentam chance 11,5 vezes maior de provocar um aborto.Conclusões: Por falta de um sistema eficaz de contracepção e de planejamento familiar, mulheres de baixa renda ainda hoje, após 20 anos da International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 1994, recorrem ao aborto provocado e inseguro para a diminuição da própria fecundidade e do tamanho da família, frente a uma gestação inesperada, não pretendida ou inoportuna.

Atualização das estimativas da magnitude do aborto induzido, taxas por mil mulheres e razões por 100 nascimentos vivos do aborto induzido por faixa etária e grandes regiões. Brasil, 1995 a 2013 / Update to the estimates of the magnitude of the induced abortion rates per thousand women and reasons for 100 live births induced abortionby age group and major regions. Brasil, 1995 to 2013

Introdução: As estimativas do aborto induzido no Brasil eram imprecisas até o início dos anos 1990. Variavam entre 300 mil e 3,3 milhões de abortos clandestinos. Em 2000 foram estimados 22,3 abortos induzidos por 1.000 mulheres no Brasil, com base na metodologia proposta pelo Alan Guttmacher Institute. Objetivo: Atualizar as estimativas do aborto induzido no Brasil de 1995 a 2013.Método: A fonte dos dados primários foi o número de internações por aborto registrado no Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde, desagregado por regiões e por faixa etária. O número de abortos induzidos foi estimado por intervalos. O limite superior foi definido com a multiplicação por cinco do número de internações. O limite inferior foi calculado com a multiplicação por quatro do número de internações. Considerou--se o percentual de sub-registro de 12,5% e a proporção de abortos espontâneos de 25%. Resultados: Entre 1995 e 2013, as internações de mulheres de 10 a 49 anos por complicações do aborto diminuíram 27% e a estimativa do número anual de abortos induzidos recuou 26%. Observou-se declínio do limite superior da razão de aborto induzido de 27/1.000 mulheres para 16/1.000. O mesmo foi notado para o limite inferior, de 21/1.000 para 12/1.000. Nas duas regiões com maior número de internações por complicações do aborto, Nordeste e Sudeste, observou-se redução significativa do número de casos, 35% e 27%, respectivamente.Constatou-se redução no risco de aborto induzido em todas as faixas etárias: 43% entre 15 e29 anos, 49% entre 20 e 29 anos, 26% entre 30 e 39 anos e 50% de 40 a 49 anos. A estimativa de abortos induzidos decresceu de 864.628 para 687.347 (limite inferior) e de 1.086.708 para865.160 (limite superior).

Introduction: Estimates of induced abortion in Brazil were inaccurate until the early 1990, varying between 300 million and 3.3 million clandestine abortions. In 2000, were estimated 22.3 abortions induced by 1000 women in Brazil, using the methodology proposed by the Alan Guttmacher Institute. Objective: Update estimates of induced abortion in Brazil during the period of 1995 to 2013. Method: The primary data source was the number of hospitalizations for abortion registeredin the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System, disaggregated by regionand age group. The number of induced abortions has been estimated by interval upper limit, multiplying by five the number of hospitalizations, and by lower bound, by multiplying byfour the number of hospitalizations. It was considered under percentage record of 12.5% and the proportion of miscarriages of 25%. Results: Between 1995 and 2013, the hospitalizations of women from 10 to 49 years by complications from abortion decreased by 27% and the estimate of the annual number of induced abortions declined 26%. It was observed decline of upper limit of induced abortion ratio of 27/1000 women for 16/1000. The same was noticed for the lower bound of 21/12/1000to 1000. In the two regions with the highest number of hospitalizations for complications of abortion, Northeast and Southeast, showed significant reduction in the number of cases of 35% and 27% respectively. Found a great reduction in the risk of induced abortion, of 43% between 15 and 29 years, 49% between 20 and 29 years old, 26% between 30 and 39 years and 50% of 40 to 49 years. The estimation of induced abortions decreased from 864,628 to 687,347 (lower limit), and from 1,086,708 to 865,160 (upper limit). Conclusion: Both the reason of abortion per 100 live births and the rate of induced abortions per thousand women aged 15 to 49 years in Brazil showed decrease in the studied period.

Alterações genéticas em casais com antecedentes de aborto recorrente no primeiro trimestre da gestação / Genetic alterations in couples with a history of recurrent miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy

O abortamento é considerado um problema multifatorial, cujas principais causas envolvidas na sua etiologia são os fatores ambientais (como exposição a substâncias tóxicas), genéticos, anatômicos, endócrinos, imunológicos, trombofílicos e doenças infecciosas (como toxoplasmose, rubéola). No entanto, os fatores genéticos são atribuídos principalmente aos abortamentos de primeiro trimestre da gestação. As alterações cromossômicas, o polimorfismo C677T, no gene da metilenotetrahidrofolato redutase (MTHFR677C>T); o polimorfismo G1691A, no gene do Fator V de Leiden (FVL1691G>A), e o polimorfismo G20210A, no gene da protrombina (PRT20210G>A), têm sido associados a problemas obstétricos, incluindo aborto recorrente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar associação entre as mutações relacionadas à trombofilia, presença de alterações cromossômican e a ocorrência de aborto espontâneo recorrente e avaliar possíveis interações entre as referidas mutações e as alterações cromossômicas. A casuística foi composta por 151 mulheres com história de aborto recorrente, 94 parceiros e 100 controles (mulheres sem histórico de aborto). A investigação das mutações foi realizada pela técnica de Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase- Polimorfismo de Tamanho de Fragmento de Restrição. As alterações cromossômicas foram investigadas pela cariotipagem com banda–G. A frequência das alterações cromossômicas foi de 7,3% nas mulheres com abortamento recorrente e 1% nos controles (p=0,022), e de 2,1% nos parceiros. No entanto, a frequência dos alelos MTHR677C>T (23% versus 22,5%), FVL1691G>A (1,5% versus 1% ) e PRT20210G>A (1,45% versus 0%) foi similar entre casos e controles, respectivamente. No grupo investigado, foi observada associação entre aborto recorrente e alterações cromossômicas, mas não foi encontrada associação com os polimorfismos gênicos investigados.

Abortion is considered a multifactorial problem, the most important causes involved in its etiology are, environmental factors ( as exposure to toxic chemicals), genetic, anatomic, endocrine, immunological, thrombophilic and infectious diseases (such as toxoplasmosis, rubella). However, genetic factors are mainly attributed to abortions of the first trimester of pregnancy. Chromosomal abnormalities, MTHFR 677C>T, factor V Leiden 1691G>A and prothrombin 20210G>A mutations have been associated with obstetric problems, including recurrent miscarriage. The objective of this research was to investigate associations between mutations in three genes commonly associated to thrombophilic events, chromosomal abnormalities and the occurrence of recurrent miscarriage. As well evaluate possible interactions between these mutations and chromosomal abnormalities. The sample was comprised of 151 women with history of recurrent miscarriages, 94 partners and 100 control (women with no history of abortion). The investigation of the mutations was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/ Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). Chromosomal aberrations were investigated by karyotyping with G-banda. The frequency of chromosomal abnormalities was 7.3% in women with recurrent miscarriage and 1% in controls (p = 0.022), and 2.1% in the partners. However, the frequency of allele MTHR677C> T (23% versus 22.5%), FVL1691G> A (1.5% vs. 1%) and PRT20210G> A (1.45% vs. 0%) was similar for cases and controls, respectively. In the investigated group was found association between recurrent miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities, but no association was found with the genetic polymorphisms investigated.

Comportamiento sexual y aborto provocado en adolescentes y jóvenes de escuelas de educación superior / Sexual behavior and induced abortion in adolescents and young colleges women

Introducción: la realización del aborto provocado es una práctica institucionalizada en nuestro país para garantizar las condiciones necesarias para ser realizado con el menor riesgo posible, sin embargo, ese proceder puede tener secuelas para la salud reproductiva, en todas las edades, pero fundamentalmente en adolescentes y jóvenes que son grupos más vulnerables. Objetivos: determinar el comportamiento sexual en el grupo de estudio e identificar antecedentes de abortos provocados, así como su morbilidad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional, de corte transversal sobre la conducta sexual y antecedentes de aborto provocado y sus complicaciones en adolescentes y adultas jóvenes, estudiantes de escuelas de la educación superior. La información se obtuvo a través de una entrevista elaborada para tales fines. El universo estuvo compuesto por todas las estudiantes que cursaban entre el 1er. y 3er. año de las carreras, la muestra se constituyó con las que tenían el antecedente de aborto provocado que dieron su consentimiento a participar en la investigación. Resultados: el 42,2 por ciento de las adolescentes se había practicado una interrupción de embarazo, el 50,5 por ciento inició la actividad sexual entre 15-17 años, el 45,9 por ciento no se protege nunca durante las relaciones sexuales y el 54,03 por ciento ha tenido dos parejas sexuales. Conclusiones: el inicio de la actividad sexual precoz, el frecuente cambio de parejas y la práctica de la actividad sexual sin protección expone a las adolescentes a una serie de riesgos entre ellos el aborto provocado, lo que compromete su salud sexual y reproductiva(AU)

Introduction: the performance of abortion is an institutionalized practice in our country to ensure the necessary conditions to perform this procedure minimizing all possible risks. However, this procedure can have consequences for reproductive health, at all ages, but primarily in adolescents and young women who are most vulnerable. Objectives: to determine the sexual behavior in the study group and identify a history of induced abortions and its morbidity. Methods: a descriptive, observational, cross-section study was conducted on sexual behavior and history of induced abortion and its complications in adolescents and young adults, students of higher education. The information was gathered through an interview made to meet such purposes. The study group was composed by all university students from 1st to 3rd years; the sample was made up of those with a history of induced abortion who gave their consent to participate in this research. Results: 42.2 percent of these girls had undergone a termination of pregnancy, 50.5 percent initiated sexual activity when they were 15-17 years old, 45.9 percent had never protected during sex, and 54.03 percent had had two sexual partners. Conclusions: the onset of early sexual activity, frequent partner changes and the practice of unprotected sex expose adolescents to several of risks including abortion, which compromises their sexual and reproductive health(AU)

Fatores associados ao aborto induzido entre jovens pobres na cidade de São Paulo, 2007 / Factores asociados al aborto inducido entre jóvenes pobres en la ciudad de Sao Paulo, 2007 / /Factors associated with induced abortion among poor youth in the city of São Paulo, 2007

Esse artigo investiga fatores associados ao aborto induzido entre jovens residentes numa comunidade pobre da cidade de São Paulo. A amostra foi composta por 102 homens e 99 mulheres de 14 a 25 anos de idade que já haviam iniciado suas vidas sexuais. Usou-se o modelo hierárquico de regressão logística. As variáveis não ter companheiro sexual no momento da entrevista, sexo do entrevistado, idade no momento da entrevista, priorizar morar só e número de gestações compuseram o modelo final. Dar muita importância a morar só quadruplica a chance de ocorrer um aborto. Jovens mais velhos foram menos propensos a se deparar com um aborto, dado que a chance de se optar pelo aborto se reduz 17% para cada incremento de um ano na idade dos jovens. Isso é indicativo de que as gestações ocorreram de forma inesperada, intempestiva, como é praxe nas condutas adolescentes, sendo as maiores candidatas a terminarem em aborto provocado. Evidencia-se, portanto, a necessidade de serem investidos recursos financeiros para obtenção de métodos contraceptivos eficazes e inócuos, destinados ao início da vida sexual.

Este artículo investiga factores asociados al aborto inducido entre jóvenes residentes en una comunidad pobre de la ciudad de Sao Paulo. La muestra estaba compuesta por 102 hombres y 99 mujeres de 14 a 25 años de edad que ya habían dado inicio a sus vidas sexuales. Se usó el modelo jerárquico de regresión logística. Las variables: no tener compañero sexual en el momento de la entrevista, sexo del entrevistado, edad en el momento de la entrevista, priorizar vivir solo, y número de gestaciones, compusieron el modelo final. Dar mucha importancia a vivir solo cuadruplica la posibilidad de que se produzca un aborto. Jóvenes de mayor edad fueron menos propensos a encontrarse con un aborto, dado que la posibilidad de optar por un aborto se reduce un 17%, respectoa cada incremento de un año en la edad de los jóvenes. Eso es indicativo de que las gestaciones se produjeron de forma inesperada, intempestiva, como es praxis en las conductas adolescentes, siendo las candidatas con mayores probabilidades de terminar conun aborto provocado. Se evidencia, portanto, la necesidad de que sean invertidos recursos financieros para obtenciónde métodos contraceptivos eficaces e inocuos, destinados al inicio de la vida sexual.

The present article investigates factors associated with induced abortion among youth living in a poor community in the city of São Paulo. The sample consisted of 102 men and 99 women, 14 to 25 years of age who had initiated their sex lives. The hierarchical logistic model was used. The variables, not having a sex partner at the time of the interview, respondent´s gender, age at the time of interview, prioritizing living alone, and the number of pregnancies comprised the final model. Considering very important to live alonesingly increases fourfold the likelihood of an abortion. Older youngsters were less likely to face an abortion, given that the likelihood of opting for an abortion is reduced in 17% for each one year increment in the age. This indicates that pregnancies were unexpected, untimely, as it is usual in the behavior teenagers, who are the major candidates to end up with an induced abortion. All this stresses the need to invest financial resources to obtain efficacious and innocuous contraceptive methods for the beginning of sex life.

Health consequences of unsafe abortion in Colombia, 1989-2008.

The number of Colombian women hospitalized for the treatment of induced abortion complications increased from 57 679 in 1989 to 93 336 in 2008; the hospitalization rate also rose: from 7.2 to 9.1 cases per 1000 women aged 15-44 years. Factors that likely underlie the increase include improved access to postabortion care (although 1 in 5 women still do not obtain the care they need) and the growing role of misoprostol, often used incorrectly and to some extent replacing the use of surgical abortion by doctors. Efforts are evidently needed to improve access to safe abortion and effective contraception.

El acceso al aborto no punible como cuestión de derechos humanos: persistencia de barreras en jurisdicciones con y sin reglamentación del aborto legal / Access to not punishable abortion as a human right issue: persistance of barriers in jurisdictions with and without legal regulation of abortion

INTRODUCCION: Desde 1921, el Código Penal de la Nación (CPN) de Argentina penaliza el aborto pero establece ciertas excepciones en el artículo 86. Sin embargo, el acceso de las mujeres al aborto no punible (ANP) se encuentra seriamente restringido. La ausencia o precariedad de reglas y políticas públicas para facilitar el ejercicio de las permisiones, los debates irresueltos sobre su alcance, los trámites excesivos en los centros sanitarios y la intervención injustificada del sistema de justicia, son sólo algunos de los obstáculos que deben enfrentar las mujeres al requerir un aborto amparándose en los casos contemplados por el mencionado artículo.OBJETIVOS: Contribuir a la remoción de las barreras de acceso de las mujeres al ANP a partir del estudio de los debates jurídicos y los problemas de implementación institucional de las reglas vigentes en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA).METODOS: Se realizó una indagación exhaustiva de los discursos judiciales sobre aborto y ANP y una revisión de los discursos doctrinarios vigentes en el país y el derecho comparado.RESULTADOS: Se realizó una serie de publicaciones que discuten los mecanismos de regulación y distintos argumentos que fundamentan la legalidad del ANP. La investigación permitió reconstruir el recorrido que las mujeres deben realizar para acceder al aborto legal en dos hospitales de la CABA.CONCLUSIONES: El estudio sirvió para realizar un mapeo de algunas de las opiniones de los profesionales de la salud sobre el ANP y las barreras de oferta que identificaron.

INTRODUCTION: Since 1921, the Argentine Criminal Code (ACC) criminalizes abortion but provides some exceptions in Article 86. However, women’s access to not punishable abortion (NPA) is severely restricted. The absence or weakness of rules and policies to facilitate the exercise of the permissions, the unresolved legal debates about its scope, the excessive requirements in health centers and the unjustified recourse to the justice system are some of the obstacles faced by women requiring abortion invoking cases covered by the article mentioned above.OBJECTIVE: To contribute to the removal of barriers to women’s access to NPA through the study of the legal debates and problems of institutional implementation of the current rules in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (ACBA).METHODS: A thorough investigation of judicial discourses on abortion and NPA and a review of current doctrinal discourses in the country and comparative law were made.RESULTS: Several publications have been produced discussing the regulatory mechanisms and arguments that support the legality of NPA. This research describes the different stages required for the access of women to legal abortion in two hospitals of ACBA. CONCLUSIONS: The research was used to perform a mapping of some of the opinions of health professionals about the NPA and the barriers they identified.CONCLUSIONS: The research was used to perform a mapping of some of the opinions of health professional about the NPA and the barriers they identified.

El acceso al aborto no punible como cuestión de derechos humanos: persistencia de barreras en jurisdicciones con y sin reglamentación del aborto legal / Access to not punishable abortion as a human right issue: persistance of barriers in jurisdictions with and without legal regulation of abortion

INTRODUCCION: Desde 1921, el Código Penal de la Nación (CPN) de Argentina penaliza el aborto pero establece ciertas excepciones en el artículo 86. Sin embargo, el acceso de las mujeres al aborto no punible (ANP) se encuentra seriamente restringido. La ausencia o precariedad de reglas y políticas públicas para facilitar el ejercicio de las permisiones, los debates irresueltos sobre su alcance, los trámites excesivos en los centros sanitarios y la intervención injustificada del sistema de justicia, son sólo algunos de los obstáculos que deben enfrentar las mujeres al requerir un aborto amparándose en los casos contemplados por el mencionado artículo.OBJETIVOS: Contribuir a la remoción de las barreras de acceso de las mujeres al ANP a partir del estudio de los debates jurídicos y los problemas de implementación institucional de las reglas vigentes en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA).METODOS: Se realizó una indagación exhaustiva de los discursos judiciales sobre aborto y ANP y una revisión de los discursos doctrinarios vigentes en el país y el derecho comparado.RESULTADOS: Se realizó una serie de publicaciones que discuten los mecanismos de regulación y distintos argumentos que fundamentan la legalidad del ANP. La investigación permitió reconstruir el recorrido que las mujeres deben realizar para acceder al aborto legal en dos hospitales de la CABA.CONCLUSIONES: El estudio sirvió para realizar un mapeo de algunas de las opiniones de los profesionales de la salud sobre el ANP y las barreras de oferta que identificaron.

INTRODUCTION: Since 1921, the Argentine Criminal Code (ACC) criminalizes abortion but provides some exceptions in Article 86. However, womens access to not punishable abortion (NPA) is severely restricted. The absence or weakness of rules and policies to facilitate the exercise of the permissions, the unresolved legal debates about its scope, the excessive requirements in health centers and the unjustified recourse to the justice system are some of the obstacles faced by women requiring abortion invoking cases covered by the article mentioned above.OBJECTIVE: To contribute to the removal of barriers to womens access to NPA through the study of the legal debates and problems of institutional implementation of the current rules in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (ACBA).METHODS: A thorough investigation of judicial discourses on abortion and NPA and a review of current doctrinal discourses in the country and comparative law were made.RESULTS: Several publications have been produced discussing the regulatory mechanisms and arguments that support the legality of NPA. This research describes the different stages required for the access of women to legal abortion in two hospitals of ACBA. CONCLUSIONS: The research was used to perform a mapping of some of the opinions of health professionals about the NPA and the barriers they identified.CONCLUSIONS: The research was used to perform a mapping of some of the opinions of health professional about the NPA and the barriers they identified.