TITLE:
Implementation and Follow-Up of Medical Abortion in Catalonia (2010-2014)
AUTHORS:
Carme Ollé, Roser Bosser, Rosa Gispert, Neus Prat, Pilar Magrinyà, Carme Coll, Ramón Escuriet, Ricard Tresserras, Joaquim Calaf
KEYWORDS:
Medical Abortion, Catalonia, Early Abortions, Sexual and Reproductive Health Units (SRHU)
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.7 No.2,
February
21,
2017
ABSTRACT: In 2011 a protocol for medical abortions (MA) up to 49 days of pregnancy was approved by the Ministry of Health of Catalonia’s autonomous government and it was progressively introduced through the public network of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Units (SRHU). In 2014, a new protocol extended to 63 days of pregnancy was set up. Data come from the official abortion registry held by the Ministry of Health, which collects statistical data from all abortions performed in Catalonia. Since 2011, the number and rate of abortions in Catalonia have decreased while the number of health centers providing abortions has increased, especially the SRHU. The proportion of MA abortions went from 0.4% (2010) to 36.9% (2014), while the percentage of early abortions (up to 7 weeks) surged by 14.7%. SRHU reported 73.4% of all MA and hospitals performed 18.7% of the total, while outpatient centers accounted for the remaining 7.9%. Compared to surgical abortions, women having had MA have higher levels of education and lower rates of unemployment. Furthermore, they have more living offspring and fewer previous terminations as well as more frequent attendance to a public family planning center.