[Methodical aspects and results of studies into motivations for induced termination of pregnancy and the wish to have a child (author's transl)].

Medical and social aspects relating to human reproduction has been the heading of a research subject in the context of sociogynaecology. An account is given in this paper of medicosociological studies and survey approaches with regard to induced-termination patients, puerperae and a control population, with emphasis being laid on identifying attitudes, motivations, and general views on having children. -- Methodical aspects are reported and assessed together with preliminary results obtained from a GDR-representative sub-study into 2,776 induced-termination patients. Priorities issues included the social situation of the interviewees, their attitudes towards having a child and to induced termination of pregnancy, reasons given for termination decisions, as well as views on contraception and family planning.