[The decision-making process and information needs among women seeking abortion. Results from 2 studies conducted with a 10-year interval, 1983-93].

The decision-making process and need for medical information during the consultation prior to abortion were examined among 183 women who sought abortion in 1983 and 160 in 1993 at the Department of Gynaecology, University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. The father of the foetus participated significantly more often in the decision-making process in 1993 than in 1983. The final decision was taken either by the woman alone or together with the father of the foetus. More than 85% of the women had decided to terminate the pregnancy before requesting an abortion at the pre-abortion visit. Few women were under pressure when they decided to terminate the pregnancy. More women were under pressure to continue the pregnancy to term than to terminate (p < 0.05). Norwegian abortion law guarantees the right to medical information during the pre-abortion consultation. The general practitioners involved scored higher in 1993 compared with their colleagues in 1983, since they satisfied the demands of abortion-seeking women for medical information concerning the surgery and possible complications.