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Attitudes and Opinions of Young Gynecologists on Pregnancy Termination: Results of a Cross-Sectional Survey in Poland

Author

Listed:
  • Kornelia Zaręba

    (I Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-004 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Valentina Lucia La Rosa

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy)

  • Ewelina Kołb-Sielecka

    (I Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-004 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Michał Ciebiera

    (II Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Rosalia Ragusa

    (Health Technology Assessment Committee, Health Directorate, University Hospital “G. Rodolico,” 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Jacek Gierus

    (Faculty of Psychology, University of Economics and Human Sciences, 01-043 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Elena Commodari

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy)

  • Grzegorz Jakiel

    (I Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-004 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Background: This paper aims to explore the attitudes and opinions of a group of Polish young gynecologists toward pregnancy termination. Method: An anonymous questionnaire was completed by physicians who participated in obligatory trainee courses held in 2019 in Warsaw. Results: The study group included 71 physicians with an average age of 29 years (SD 3.05). A considerable number of the physicians accepted terminations for medical reasons up to the end of pregnancy, especially in cases of lethal defects (46%) and a serious disease in the mother (34%). Only 6% of the group of gynecologists not performing terminations claimed that the procedure was contrary to their conscience, and 62% of them stated that such procedures were not performed at their hospital. Terminations would be performed by 90% of the respondents in cases of lethal defects of the fetus and by 80% if severe irreversible fetal defects were diagnosed. Conclusions: The main problem associated with the inaccessibility of pregnancy termination in Poland is not linked to individuals, meaning medical personnel and the possibility of invoking the conscience clause, but probably to the lack of approval for terminations granted by hospital supervisors. Adequate knowledge on pregnancy termination procedures, fetal defects, and diseases in the mother translated into the changes of opinions on pregnancy terminations.

Suggested Citation

  • Kornelia Zaręba & Valentina Lucia La Rosa & Ewelina Kołb-Sielecka & Michał Ciebiera & Rosalia Ragusa & Jacek Gierus & Elena Commodari & Grzegorz Jakiel, 2020. "Attitudes and Opinions of Young Gynecologists on Pregnancy Termination: Results of a Cross-Sectional Survey in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-10, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:3895-:d:365330
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lydia Mainey & Catherine O’Mullan & Kerry Reid‐Searl & Annabel Taylor & Kathleen Baird, 2020. "The role of nurses and midwives in the provision of abortion care: A scoping review," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(9-10), pages 1513-1526, May.
    2. Kornelia Zaręba & Valentina Lucia La Rosa & Michał Ciebiera & Marta Makara-Studzińska & Jacek Gierus & Grzegorz Jakiel, 2019. "Psychosocial Profile and Reproductive Decisions of Women Undergoing Pregnancy Termination for Medical Reasons—A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-9, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kornelia Zaręba & Valentina Lucia La Rosa & Stanisław Wójtowicz & Ewelina Kołb-Sielecka & Jolanta Banasiewicz & Michał Ciebiera & Grzegorz Jakiel, 2022. "The Opinions of Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology on the Indications for Pregnancy Termination in Poland—A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, October.

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