[Decriminalization of abortion in Chile: a mixed method approach based on perception of abortion in the community population]. / Despenalización del aborto en Chile: una aproximación mixta desde la percepción del aborto en población comunitaria.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the variables and the axiological argumentations that configure the perception of abortion as a crime, in a sample of a city in southern Chile during the debate of law 21.030. METHOD: The design is quantitative, observational correlation cross-sectional followed by a qualitative approach. The quantitative sample of 289 members of the community of Temuco (Chile) answered a questionnaire about social categories, and their perception of the seriousness of 15 behaviours defined in Chile as crimes. For the qualitative phase, we carried out 12 semi-standardized interviews in the same community, subject to content analysis, incorporating some elements of grounded theory from the constructivist perspective. RESULTS: Regardless of sex, more than half of the study sample considers abortion to be between a serious and an extremely serious crime, despite its current decriminalization. Religious people, no matter what kind of religion, political conservatives and people of a lower educational level, perceive abortion as a serious crime. Frequency of participation in religious events has a mediating effect. The qualitative results establish t religious teaching as a very important argument to reject abortion, and that the perception of the severity of abortion as a crime is multidimensional. CONCLUSION: Religion and a conservative political vision affect the traditional constructions of gender and motherhood, and therefore, there is a marked tendency to reject abortion. These results emphasize the need to pay special attention to the acceptance of Law 21.030 on the voluntary termination of pregnancy in regions. This is important for effective application of the Law.

La salud física y mental de las estudiantes de enfermería / Physical and mental health of nursing students

Un programa dinámico de salud de las escuelas de enfermeras, debe comprender servicios en consonancia con las prácticas médicas más adelantadas en materia de diagnóstico, terapéutica y prevención, para obtener el grado máximo de salud mental y física. Estos servicios deben ofrecerse en forma que la estudiante se sienta inclinada a utilizarlos libre y naturalmente, y como parte de su preparación profesional. El programa debe preocuparse también del medio donde se estudia, de la práctica clínica, de la vida diaria y del recreo. Todos estos elementos pueden adaptarse de modo que sirvan de guía a las estudiantes en el proceso de enriquecer su personalidad individuals y profesional

Un programa de salud dinámico en favor de las estudiantes de enfermería favorece también a las innumerables personas a quienes las enfermeras atenderán en el curso de su vida, y realza el atractivo de esta profesión. Alienta a la juventud a alcanzar sus fines personales y a cumplir su misión en beneficio de la humanidad(AU)

Publicado en inglés en el Public Health Reports de sept. 1961