The effect of induced legal abortions on anxietylevels before and after the procedure

Abstract

AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of abortion procedure on psychological status of women.MethodA total of 193 women seeking an elective abortion in legal 10 weeks gestational age interval were included in this prospective study. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Scale (STAI) was performed twice; one is half an hour before the induced abortion and the other 10 days after the abortion. State anxiety (S-Anxiety) can be determined as discomfort, fear etc. Trait anxiety (T-anxiety) can be determined as a tendency to feel worried and discomfort.ResultsS and T-Anxiety scores of cases showed statistical significant decrease after abortion (p = 0.000, p = 0.037 respectively). 65.3% of women had post-abortion T-anxiety scale score above 43 points (cut off for severe anxiety). Higher education levels are associated with lower pre and post-abortion T- Anxiety levels (p=0.000, p=0.003). Higher educated women were less likely to be at the risk of preabortion trait anxiety score above 43 points (OR 0.55, CI=0,5–1.14) and women with higher income were more likely to be at the risk of post-abortion State Anxiety Score above 43 point (OR 2.5, CI=0.94-0.42).ConclusionAnxiety scores are altered after induced legal abortions. Women who are admitted to gynecology clinics for an induced abortion should be monitored closely for psychological symptoms, and education about contraception should be given to all of the women in reproductive ages.

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