Depression, emotional and social aspects in the abortion context: a comparison between two Brazilian capitals

To assess emotional and social aspects in the experience of abortion and the diagnosis of major depression, comparing women from two Brazilian cities (São Paulo--SP, Natal--RN).

A transversal study was carried out from January 2009 to May 2010, through semi-directed interviews with women undergoing an abortion (up to 22 weeks gestation) treated at university hospitals in São Paulo--SP (n = 166) and Natal--RN (n = 150). The Portuguese version of the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) instrument was applied for the diagnosis of depression.

There was no significant difference (p = 0.223) in the proportion of induced abortions when comparing the two capital cities: Natal (7.3%) and São Paulo (12.0%). The diagnosis of depression was high among women undergoing an abortion and was significantly higher in Natal than in São Paulo (50.7% vs. 32.5%, p < 0.01). Regarding emotional aspects, there was no difference in the occurrence of guilt feelings (Natal 27.7%; São Paulo 23.3%; p = 0.447). The partner's involvement was considered satisfactory by women in similar proportions in the two capitals (Natal 62.0%; São Paulo 59.0%, p = 0.576). No difference was found in the proportion of women who reported violence, related or not to the abortion (Natal 22.9%; São Paulo 16.6%; p = 0.378).

Although there was no difference between the emotional and social aspects in the comparison between the two capitals, there was a high proportion of women with major depression, more frequent in the city of Natal than in São Paulo, which demonstrates the importance of psychosocial support in the women's healthcare system.