[The decision to abort: the process and feelings involved]

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Women's Studies

Context:

• Induced abortion is a criminal offense in most cases in Brazil, leading to scarce official data.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the circumstances surrounding induced abortions.
• This study addresses the data gap by examining women's characteristics, motivations, and conditions related to abortion.

Purpose:

• To investigate the characteristics of women who have undergone abortions.
• To explore the reasons and conditions associated with induced abortions.
• To analyze the factors influencing the decision to have or not have an abortion and the associated emotional outcomes.

Summary:

• A survey of 7,359 employees and 2,231 students at a São Paulo university revealed that 465 participants had considered abortion.
• The proportion of women who had abortions was lower among married individuals compared to single individuals.
• Decisions to abort were more common among women who discussed their situation with friends or partners and those unprepared to raise a child.

Impact:

• Emotional and social factors significantly influence women's decisions regarding abortion.
• Women who had abortions reported negative emotional and physical experiences afterward.
• Conversely, women who did not have abortions often reported positive feelings, relief, and no regret.