Analysis of abortive methods and its complications within the public health system

Abstract

Abortion practice has been present throughout human history, with reports in Chinese medical books dating from XXVII BC.  Several methods have been adopted, and changed over time, either by the influence of scientific advances or by changes arising from restrictive public policies. This article sought to analyze if and how these alterations in abortion methods have influenced the eventual complications experienced by women in the post-abortion period. It was found that with the dissemination of abortion drugs among the population – especially among those with low income – the number of hospital admissions has decreased. Nonetheless, the rate of unsafe abortions did not change significantly. This was attributed, throughout the study, to the fact that the problem with abortion permeates the medical field, involving innumerable stigmas and social factors that need a broader approach on the part of the State and civil society. For this analysis, an integrative review was carried out, surveying studies in the databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval (Medline); Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo); Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS). Were included articles, notes, and reviews, published in indexed periodicals, in Portuguese and English. No time limit was established. The analysis and interpretations of the results were presented in a descriptive manner.