title: Induced abortion is not associated with a higher likelihood of depression in Curaçao women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the risk of developing a depression after induced abortion.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cohort study conducted in Curaçao which involved 92 women having an induced abortion and 37 women delivering after an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, who served as controls. All participants completed the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale before and two to three weeks after the abortion or delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following the abortion, significantly fewer women were at risk of depression (30%) as compared to when still pregnant (60%). Mean depression scores were significantly lower after- than before the procedure. The likelihood of depression post-abortum (30%) was similar to that after delivery of an unplanned/unwanted child (22%). Even though women in the abortion group more often reported having suffered from depression in the past than controls, they were not at greater risk of depression after their pregnancy had ended.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Curaçao women's risk of developing a depression following an (early) induced abortion is not greater than that after carrying to term an unplanned/unwanted pregnancy. We recommend that the results of this study be taken into account in case the Curaçao government should consider legalisation of induced abortion in the near future.
authors: * General Practice , Curaçao.
authors: Adriana A
authors: AA
authors: Boersma
authors: Desirée
authors: D
authors: van den Berg
authors: Rik H W
authors: RH
authors: van Lunsen
authors: Ellen T M
authors: ET
authors: Laan
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009427:Netherlands Antilles / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Caribbean; Depression; Induced abortion; Termination of pregnancy; Unwanted pregnancy and delivery