[Women applying for abortion and their knowledge about abortion].

Abstract

There are few operations which require direct written approval from the patient; among these is the termination of pregnancy. The woman must attest that she has been informed concerning the procedure itself. It is therefore interesting to investigate the knowledge that a sample of 105 women seeking abortion have on the nature of the operation, complications, after effects and possibilities for social assistance in carrying through the pregnancy compared to the information required under the law for termination of pregnancy. Knowledge of the method of abortion and of the risk for retained tissue increased significantly with age. There was no significant difference among age groups concerning knowledge of anesthesia, bleeding, infection or social aid arrangements. 7% of the women thought that there was risk of sterility. 84% of the women did not know that there was a risk for retained tissue. About half were not clear that the procedure involved suction and that there was risk of bleeding and infection following the procedure. 40% did not know that there was any possibility for referral to social agencies for further assistance.