Reactions and reflections in men, 4 and 12 months post-abortion

BACKGROUND: in general, men involved in legal abortion constitute an invisible group and there is scarcely any knowledge about their experiences and opinions. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to increase knowledge about reactions and reflections by means of a prospective study of men's attitudes and feelings towards abortion. METHODS: twenty-six men answered a questionnaire before abortion, and participated in interviews at the time of abortion and 4 and 12 months post-abortion. RESULTS: nearly all of the men were happy with the women's decision to have an abortion at both follow-ups. They experienced the abortion as a relief and a responsible act. Simultaneously, abortion could also be experienced as a painful and ethically problematic act. Overall, most men had only positive experiences post- abortion, such as a feeling of maturity. More than half of those who accompanied their partners to the hospital felt that the staff did not have a welcoming attitude. It was also found that 1-year post-abortion, more than a third consistently did not use a reliable contraceptive method. CONCLUSIONS: there is a need for further studies concerning men's experiences and reactions in the context of abortion and it is of fundamental importance that a gender perspective is incorporated into this specific field of reproductive health research.