Evaluation of Effective Factors on Decision of Families Regarding Medical Abortion Recommended due to Fetal Anomaly

AIM: The study aims to examine the effective factors influencing the decision of families to whom medical abortion was recommended due to fetal anomalies.

METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at İstanbul University Hospital, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, High-Risk Pregnancies and Maternity Ward. The sample consisted of 233 pregnant women, to whom medical abortion was recommended due to the diagnosis of foetal anomaly collected inover a 1-year period.

RESULTS: While 122 of the families decided to have medical abortions, 111 decided to give birth. The rate of deciding on medical abortion was the highest in families whose fetuses had a high expectation rate of lethal anomalies (p < .001). The most effective factor for the families who decided to give birth was their religious beliefs. The most effective factor for the families who decided to have a medical abortion was the information they received from health professionals.

CONCLUSION: While the religious beliefs of the parents were effective in the decision to give birth, the information they received from the health professionals was effective in the decision to have a medical abortion.

Cite this article as: Ekinci, G., & İnal, S. (2024). Evaluation of effective factors on decision of families regarding medical abortion recommended due to fetal anomaly. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing, 32(1), 83-89.