Voluntary interruption of pregnancies at the University Hospital of Uruguay: Situation Report 2019-2020

Objective: The objective of this study is to know the status of the processes of the users who attended the polyclinic for voluntary termination of pregnancy at the Hospital de Cl & iacute;nicas in a period from August 2019 to August 2020. Methodology and materials: The study used descriptive and retrospective methods based on interviews with mental health professionals and a form that was used to ask about how people make decisions. In a sample of 78 users, sociodemographic, obstetric and gynecological variables associated with the discontinuation process, psychological and/or psychiatric history and reasons for discontinuation were analyzed. Results: The average age is 25 years, most people are married and have finished their elementary education. The average gestational age was 7.36 weeks. 81% of the women had not undergone an IVE. 65.4% of women have no psychological and/or psychiatric history. There is no significant relationship between having previously performed an IVE and having a psychological and/or psychiatric history. 78.2% used contraceptives. Conclusions: The interruption of pregnancy is a stressful life situation for those who go through it; they are faced with multiple reasons that influence the decision to terminate. It is inferred that carrying out one or more IVE procedures is not necessarily related to having a psychopathological history or experiencing psychopathology when carrying out the process. It is pertinent to promote patient-focused care, integrating the gender and human rights perspective, improve care processes, and provide advice on mental, sexual, and reproductive health of users and their companions.