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conferenceseries
.com
September 25-26, 2017 | Atlanta, USA
2
nd
World Congress on
Medical Sociology & Community Health
Volume 7, Issue 4 (Suppl)
J Community Med Health Educ, an open access journal
ISSN:2161-0711
Medical Sociology 2017
September 25-26, 2017
MENTALAND PHYSICAL RISKS AND EFFECTS OF INDUCEDABORTION ONWOMEN
Ward Biemans SJ
a
a
Society of Jesuits, Netherlands
Statement of the Problem:
Despite a declining trend, globally some 35 per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years undergo an induced
abortion each year. Existing research on the mental and physical risks and effects of induced abortion often encounters methodological
difficulties, such as the lack of a proper controlling of confounding factors or the lack of a sufficient time span in the study design.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation:
a literature study of empirical research published between 1985 and 2015 has been
conducted. Results are analysed from an epidemiological and bio-ethical perspective.
Findings:
In 2008, a review of the American Psychological Association did not find evidence that a single abortion would harm a
woman’s mental health. However, since then several studies reported Post Traumatic Stress or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among
women after induced abortion. As regards physical risks and effects of induced abortion, a possible link between abortion and breast
cancer is still in debate. In recent years a number of Asian studies have reported a significant relative risk for women with a history
of induced abortion to develop breast cancer. On the other hand, several Western studies did not find an independent link between
abortion and breast cancer. This difference might be explained by the stronger role of confounding factors, such as delayed child
birth, nulliparity and the use of oral contraceptives among Western women. Finally, various international studies point to the risk
of preterm births in pregnancies following a surgical abortion without pre-treatment. Preterm births are associated with a higher
prevalence of major birth defects.
Conclusion&Significance:
Women with unintended pregnancies considering an abortion should be informed of mental and physical
risks and effects. For future research, cohort studies with a sufficient time span and diversified research strategies are required.
Biography
Ward Biemans SJ is the author of ‘The Heart and the Abyss. Preventing Abortion’ (Ballarat, 2016). In this book, insights from the fields of medicine, psychology,
law, politics, economics, theology and ethics are drawn together. It provides an overview of empirical research on the mental and physical risks and effects of
induced abortion. Besides that, it presents two case studies on the abortion legislation and practice in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, with practical
recommendations on how to improve the care to women with unintended pregnancies. As an environmental scientist, he has been engaged in social-scientific and
interdisciplinary research and in the implementation of regional governmental policy in the Netherlands. As a Jesuit priest, he is both experienced in bio-ethical
research as well as in pastoral care.
ward.biemans@gmail.comWard Biemans SJ, J Community Med Health Educ 2017, 7:4 (Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2161-0711-C1-027