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Introduction: In Romania, although the number of elective abortions (EAB) has decreased, the percentage is still quite high, given the large variety of contraceptive methods and their ease of use. The principal factors that influence the decision of EAB are family, education, and income. Our study aimed to determine to what extent the psychosocial factors had an influence on EAB. Material and Methods: A sociological survey-based study was conducted, including women who presented for abortion on request during the period 2015-2018 at the "Bega" University Clinic of Obstetrics-Gynecology, Timişoara. The study investigated the degree of information and the use of contraceptive methods at the moment of pregnancy’s termination request. The extracted latent constructs were women’s general perception of abortion, emotional involvement regarding the pregnancy, relationship and family context, knowledge about the abortion’s consequences, and social status. A structural equation model of EAB was derived, describing the direct (and indirect) effects among latent variables. Results: The EAB model showed significantly adequate fit (χ²(45)=382.262, GFI (Goodness-of-fit index) =0.91, CFI (Comparative Fit Index) =0.951, RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation) =0.03, and p<0.001). The model also showed adequate fit with significant indirect effects on EAB of general perception of abortion (β=1.132, p=0.004), emotional involvement regarding the pregnancy (β=0.036, p=0.492), knowledge about abortion consequences (β=0.184, p=0.001), relation and family context (β=0.268, p=0.034), and social status (β=0.061, p=0.422). Conclusions: Results support the use of structural equation modeling for investigating the moderating and mediating effects, while simultaneously measuring latent constructs. Also, results showed that five main factors have an infleunce on EAB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Romania, an increasing number of women are opting for abortion on demand, despite the large variety of contraceptive methods and their ease of use. Some of the factors that influence the decision of undergoing abortion are family, education and income. The aim of our study was to observe to what extent psychosocial factors had an influence on the decision of abortion on demand (DoAoD). Material and methods: Data were measured during a sociological survey-based study, including 603 patients who presented for abortion on request during the period 2015-2018 at the "Bega" University Clinic of Obstetrics-Gynecology, Timisoara. The study investigated the degree of information and use of contraceptive methods at the moment of pregnancy's termination request. Based on measured data, the considered latent constructs were women's general perception of abortion, emotional involvement regarding the pregnancy, relationship and family context, knowledge about the abortion's consequences, and social status. A structural model was derived, describing the direct (and indirect) effects among latent variables. Results: The DoAoD model showed significantly adequate fit (χ2/df=1.53, GFI=0.91, CFI=0.98, RMSEA=0.05, and p<0.001). The model also showed adequate fit with significant direct effects of general perception of abortion on DoAoD (β=0.158, p<0.001), emotional involvement regarding the pregnancy on DoAoD (β=0.176, p<0.001), relation and family context on DoAoD (β=0.201, p<0.001), and social status on DoAoD (β=0.193, p<0.001). The multi-factor analysis showed that the structural model was significantly different between women living in urban and rural areas, with social status completely mediating the relationship between DoAoD and latent variables in urban area and partially mediating the relationship in rural area. Conclusions: Results support the use of structural equation modeling for investigating the moderating and mediating effects, while simultaneously measuring latent constructs. Also, results showed that social status was a stronger mediator to the DoAoD than emotional involvement regarding the pregnancy relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines legislative changes affecting reproductive rights that have taken place in two Central European countries since the dissolution of the Soviet bloc. Although some of these changes have been progressive, not all of them have been. Both countries will have to make further changes to be in full compliance with their international human rights obligations to accord women and men reproductive choice.

After the downfall of the Ceausescu regime in December, 1989, the new Government of Romania abolished the law that prohibited abortions on request. Subsequently, the rate of legally induced abortions increased significantly while the rate of maternal mortality declined dramatically. Despite the large number of women who request induced abortions, most women and gynaecologists say that they would prefer to prevent unwanted pregnancies through the use of modern contraception. In this paper we examine factors that contribute to the disparity between women's desire to use modern contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancies and their practice of having induced abortions to prevent unwanted births. The results show that women (and suggest that men) need a wide choice of dependably available high-quality contraceptives; they need to be able to obtain information, counselling, and methods from a wide range of sources/health-care providers; both women's and men's perceptions about, and use of, modern contraception could be positively affected through sexual education started in secondary school; and, to reduce repeat abortions, women's post-abortion family-planning needs must not be neglected.

As a result of the restrictive reproductive health policies enforced under the 25-year Ceausescu dictatorship, Romania ended the 1980s with the highest recorded maternal mortality of any country in Europe--159 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1989. An estimated 87 percent of these maternal deaths were caused by illegal and unsafe abortion. Under the Ceausescu regime, all contraceptive methods were forbidden and induced abortion was available only for women who met extremely narrow criteria. Immediately after the December 1989 revolution that overthrew Ceausescu, the new government removed restrictions on contraceptive use and legalized abortion. This legislative change has had beneficial effects on women's health, seen in the drop in maternal mortality in 1990 to 83 deaths per 100,000 live births--almost half the ratio in 1989. In addition, changes instituted since the revolution have led to the improved availability of reproductive health services and to the creation of new educational and training opportunities related to reproductive health services and to the creation of new educational and training opportunities related to reproductive health. The newly created contraceptive and abortion services have presented health system managers and policymakers with many challenges as they work to expand the availability of high-quality, comprehensive reproductive health care in a setting of economic hardship, political unrest, insufficient infrastructure, and outdated medical knowledge and practice.

The dramatic rise of the Romanian birth rate in 1967 following the restrictive abortion decree of late 1966 is well known. Less well known are significant changes in key maternal and child health indicators in the period after 1966. Possible reasons for these changes are discussed as are the implications of the Romanian experience for population policy and abortion research in the United States.