Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

PERCEPTIONS OF THE MULTI-PROFESSIONAL TEAM GIVEN THE LEGAL INTERRUPTION OF PREGNANCY DUE TO SEXUAL VIOLENCE

PERCEPCIONES DEL EQUIPO MULTIPROFESIONAL FRENTE A LA INTERRUPCIÓN LEGAL DEL EMBARAZO POR VIOLENCIA SEXUAL

ABSTRACT

Objective:

to know the feelings and coping strategies used by the multi-professional team in relation to cases of legal interruption of pregnancy.

Method:

a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study, conducted with 21 professionals in a hospital in the Southern Region of Brazil in September and October 2018. The participants were selected by the snowball technique and answered semi-structured individual interviews. The data were analyzed according to Minayo's operative proposal.

Results:

two thematic categories were unveiled: feelings related to participation in the process of legal interruption of pregnancy and ways of coping and support service of the institution. The participants revealed feelings ranging from indifference to empathy, and that their main ways of coping are the search for specialized services, conversation groups, family and religion.

Conclusion:

it was observed that the cases assisted give rise to diverse feelings in the professionals and, according to reports, they do not receive any form of support from the institution to deal with them.

DESCRIPTORS
Health staff; Legal abortion; Feelings; Psychological adaptation; Multi-professional team

RESUMEN

Objetivo:

conocer los sentimientos y las estrategias de enfrentamiento que utiliza el equipo multi-professional ante los casos de interrupción legal de la gestación.

Método:

estudio cualitativo, descriptivo y exploratorio, realizado con 21 profesionales en un hospital de la Región Sur de Brasil entre los meses de septiembre y octubre de 2018. Los participantes fueron seleccionados por la técnica de bola de nieve y respondieron cuestionarios individuales semiestructurados. Los datos se analizaron de acuerdo con la propuesta operativa de Minayo.

Resultados:

se establecieron dos categorías temáticas: Sentimientos relacionados con la participación en el proceso de interrupción legal del embarazo y Formas de afrontamiento y servicio de apoyo de la institución. Los participantes revelaron sentimientos que van desde la indiferencia hasta la empatía; las principales formas de afrontamiento fueron la búsqueda de servicios especializados, grupos de conversación, familia y religión.

Conclusión:

se observó que los casos atendidos generan diversos sentimientos en los profesionales y, según se desprende de sus relatos, estos no reciben ninguna clase de apoyo por parte de la institución para lidiar con los mismos.

DESCRIPTORES:
Personal de salud; Aborto legal; Sentimientos; Adaptación psicológica; Equipo multi-professional

RESUMO

Objetivo:

conhecer os sentimentos e estratégias de enfrentamento utilizado pela equipe multiprofissional frente aos casos de interrupção legal da gestação.

Método:

estudo qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório, realizado com 21 profissionais em um hospital da Região Sul do Brasil nos meses de setembro e outubro de 2018. Os participantes foram selecionados pela técnica de snowball e responderam a entrevistas individuais semiestruturadas. Os dados foram analisados de acordo com a proposta operativa de Minayo.

Resultados:

foram elencadas duas categorias temáticas: sentimentos relacionados a participação no processo de interrupção legal da gestação e formas de enfrentamento e serviço de apoio da instituição. Os participantes revelaram sentimentos que variam de indiferença à empatia, e que suas principais formas de enfrentamento são a procura por serviços especializados, grupos de conversa, família e religião.

Conclusão:

observou-se que os casos atendidos afloram sentimentos diversos nos profissionais e conforme relatos estes não recebem nenhuma forma de apoio por parte da instituição para lidarem com os mesmos.

DESCRITORES:
Pessoal de saúde; Aborto legal; Sentimentos; Adaptação psicológica; Equipe multiprofissional

INTRODUCTION

The World Health Organization defines sexual violence as any sexual act or attempt to obtain sexual intercourse, unwelcome sexual advances or comments, or trafficking or any other form, against a person's sexuality using coercion. The impacts of sexual violence on the victim's life represent a serious violation of human rights.11. Romagnoli J. Aborto no caso de gravidez resultante de estupro: o prazo de escolha para a vítima. Rev Doctum Direito [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Sept 19];1(3). Available from: http://revista.doctum.edu.br/index.php/dir/article/view/219/216
http://revista.doctum.edu.br/index.php/d...

Over the years, in Brazil there has been an improvement in legislation that guarantees constitutional rights to women, in a clear attempt to guarantee health care for victims of violence. However, there is a gap with regard to the development of studies that assess the effectiveness of the legal devices for tackling violence against women.22. Pinto LSS, Oliveira IMP, Pinto ESS, Leite CBC, Melo AN, Deus MCBR. Políticas públicas de proteção à mulher: avaliação do atendimento em saúde de vítimas de violência sexual. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Sept 19];22(5):1501-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017225.33272016
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017225...

According to the Map of Violence in Brazil, in 2015 of all the reported cases of violence, 11.9% were of a sexual nature. Of these, 24.3% of the cases occurred with adolescents between 12 and 17 years old, while in young women (18 to 29 years old) the findings were 6.2% and in adult women (30 to 59 years old), 4.3%. In addition, there was predominance of domestic space in 71.9% of the cases. 33. Waiselfisz JJ. Mapa da violência 2015: homicídio de mulheres no Brasil. 2015 [cited 2018 Aug 28]. Available from: https://www.mapadaviolencia.org.br/pdf2015/MapaViolencia_2015_mulheres.pdf
https://www.mapadaviolencia.org.br/pdf20...

In 2014-2015 there was a mean of 22.2 rape cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Brazil. This same survey shows that 85% of the women are afraid of being victims of a sexual assault.44. Lima RS, Bueno S. Anuário Brasileiro de Segurança Pública. [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2018 Aug 28]. Available from: http://www.forumseguranca.org.br/storage/10_anuario_site_18-11-2016
http://www.forumseguranca.org.br/storage...
Taking into account that in many cases the woman does not seek the health services or the police, being related to fear of reprisals, shame, feelings of guilt, among others, it is believed that these numbers may be higher than those published.

In this scenario, pregnancy resulting from sexual violence is highlighted by the high demand for psychological factors that involve women in this situation. They are no longer just people who went through such a situation, they now carry in their wombs the consequence of this violence and the pregnancies can be seen as continuous violence, causing feelings of despair and anguish.33. Waiselfisz JJ. Mapa da violência 2015: homicídio de mulheres no Brasil. 2015 [cited 2018 Aug 28]. Available from: https://www.mapadaviolencia.org.br/pdf2015/MapaViolencia_2015_mulheres.pdf
https://www.mapadaviolencia.org.br/pdf20...
-55. Machado CL, Fernandes AMS, Osis MJD, Makuch MY. Gravidez após violência sexual: vivência de mulheres em busca da interrupção legal. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2017 Aug 18];31(2):345-53. Available from Available from https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csp/2015.v31n2/345-353/pt
https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csp/2015.v3...
A study carried out in Campinas/SP showed that the trauma caused by sexual violence compromised the ability to seek any kind of help, pretending, in case they do not tell anyone, that the situation was forgotten.55. Machado CL, Fernandes AMS, Osis MJD, Makuch MY. Gravidez após violência sexual: vivência de mulheres em busca da interrupção legal. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2017 Aug 18];31(2):345-53. Available from Available from https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csp/2015.v31n2/345-353/pt
https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csp/2015.v3...

Another factor that leads women not to seek the health services is fear of reprisals. In the case of victims of sexual violence, respect and immediate assistance from the health professionals are essential to minimize the trauma and consequences of violence.66. Lima MCD, Larocca LM, Nascimento DJ. Abortamento legal após estupro: histórias reais, diálogos necessários. Saúde Debate [Internet]. 2019 [citado 2019 Sept 18];43(121):417-28. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-1104201912110
https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-11042019121...
In this regard, we enter into another issue about the legal interruption of pregnancy, which is the difficulty in identifying health professionals who feel prepared to act in these cases. The absence of an institutional culture that values permanent education, preparing the teams to meet the demands of women, can impair the quality of the care provided.77. Moreira GAR, Freitas KM, Cavalcanti LF, Viera LJEV, Silva RM. Cualificación de profesionales de la salud para la atención de mujeres en situación de violencia sexual. Trab Educ Saúde [Internet]. 2018 [citado 2019 Sept 18];16(3):1039-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-7746-sol00156
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-7746-sol001...

Despite the fact that referral services in abortion are provided for by law, they are still little known and little disseminated among the population and among the health professionals themselves, as a result, the literature points to an outdated view about abortion, which ends up discriminating and making women subjected to sexual violence vulnerable.88. Rocha WB, Silva AC, Leite SML, Cunha T. Percepção de profissionais da saúde sobre abortamento legal. Rev Bioét [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2018 Apr 16];23(2):387-99. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-80422015232077
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-80422015232...

In 2005, assistance for cases of legal interruption of pregnancy was initiated in Santa Catarina (SC), and the first hospital institution to perform this procedure was located in Florianópolis. However, only in 2014, through Ordinance No. 485/2014, the Comprehensive Care Network for People in Situations of Sexual Violence (Rede de Atenção Integral às Pessoas em Situação de Violência Sexual, RAIVVS) and the Assistance Protocol for Legal Interruption of Pregnancy were established. The RAIVVS is made up in Florianópolis by public hospitals and teaching centers, and interruption occurs in pregnancies of up to 19 weeks and 0 days.99. Prefeitura Municipal de Florianópolis. Protocolo de atenção integral à pessoas em situação de violência sexual [Internet]. 2016 [cited 17 Nov 29] Available from: http://www.pmf.sc.gov.br/arquivos/arquivos/pdf/Protocolo_Mulher.pdf
http://www.pmf.sc.gov.br/arquivos/arquiv...

Legal interruption of pregnancy in situations of sexual violence is a veiled and little studied subject matter, especially from the perspective of the professionals, who seek to serve women in a humanized manner and at the same time experience many feelings and discomfort in these situations.

Given this context, this study was guided by the guiding question: what are the feelings, perceptions and coping strategies used by the multi-professional team in the face of cases of legal interruption of pregnancy due to sexual violence? The objective was outlined as follows: to know the feelings and coping strategies used by the multi-professional team in relation to cases of legal interruption of pregnancy.

METHOD

This is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study, carried out for the conclusion of Multi-professional Residency in Health. The research was conducted in a medium-sized University Hospital located in a capital in the Brazilian South Region.

Twenty-one members of the multi-professional team participated in the study, foreseen in Ordinance 485/2014 of the Ministry of Health, which provides for the care service for people in situations of sexual violence within the scope of the SUS, provided for in article n. 7, among them nurses, nursing technicians, physicians, social workers, psychologists and residents of these areas; pharmacists were not interviewed because, in this institution, they are not part of the multi-professional team that exclusively serves the maternity ward.1010. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Portaria Nº 485, de 1º de abril de 2014. Redefine o funcionamento do Serviço de Atenção às Pessoas em Situação de Violência Sexual no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2018 Apr 17] Available from: http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegis/gm/2014/prt0485_01_04_2014.html
http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegis...

The criteria for inclusion were the following: professionals working in gynecological/obstetric emergency inpatient clinics, obstetric center and rooming-in, these being chosen for receiving the women who seek the service of legal interruption of pregnancy during their hospitalization, with time in the institution of at least one year, and who have provided care to women in situations of legal interruption of pregnancy due to sexual violence. The exclusion criteria were as follows: professionals who were on vacation or away from the service during data collection. The recruitment of study participants was done using the snowball method, which consists of a form of non-probabilistic sample, using chains of reference that are constructed through the indication of an interviewee who can fit the profile of the research and so on.1111. Vinuto J. A amostragem em bola de neve na pesquisa qualitativa: um debate em aberto. Temáticas [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2018 Mar 15] (44):203-20. Available from: https://www.ifch.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/tematicas/article/view/2144/1637
https://www.ifch.unicamp.br/ojs/index.ph...
The sample was not defined, since the data saturation technique was used.1212. Minayo MCS. O desafio do conhecimento: pesquisa qualitativa em saúde. 14th ed. São Paulo: Hucitec; 2014.

Data collection took place in the months of September and October 2018, through recorded interviews; for this purpose, an instrument was made to be used in the semi-structured interview, containing closed questions in order to characterize the participants, and open questions to enable further study, among these questions were: describe how you, the health professional who works directly with women in situations of sexual violence, feel when you provide assistance to women who seek the service of legal interruption of pregnancy and in case of a bad feeling that arises in the previous answer, do you, after assisting these cases, look for ways to deal with what you felt? If so, which ones?

Data analysis was based on Minayo's operative proposal, characterized by two operational moments, the exploratory phase that contains the fundamental determinations of the study and the interpretive phase. The interpretive phase involved an exhaustive reading of the transcripts of the interviews, and interrogation of the data aiming at internal coherence of the information found, allowing to apprehend the relevant structures and the central ideas. Subsequently, with the cross-reading of the interviews, it was possible to separate the themes, categories or units of meaning, separating similar parts by colors, trying to perceive the connections between them with the study object, and saving them in codes stored in tables in a text editor; in the final analysis, the data obtained were compared with the theoretical framework adopted.1212. Minayo MCS. O desafio do conhecimento: pesquisa qualitativa em saúde. 14th ed. São Paulo: Hucitec; 2014.

The participants signed the Free and Informed Consent Form, informing the risks and benefits of the research, in addition to all other ethical aspects that permeate it. Anonymity of the participants was guaranteed by the use of the alphanumeric system to identify the research participants, with the letter P and numbering according to the order of the interviews.

RESULTS

Characterization of the participants

Twenty-one professionals from the multi-professional team who assist cases of legal interruption of pregnancy were interviewed, among them 15 from the nursing team, two physicians, three social workers and a psychologist. Of these, 20 were identified with the female gender, with ages varying from 24 to 60 years old. In relation to the schooling level, 10 have high school and 11 higher education, among these, five are in training (residency). Regarding the time of training, the mean was 18 years, but the answers ranged from two to 35 years and, in relation to the time working in the institution, the mean was 14 years with the answers ranging from one year and 8 months to 35 years.

The following categories were elaborated to understand the data obtained during the interviews.

Feelings related to the participation of the professional in the process of legal interruption of pregnancy

The participants of this study were approached in such a way that they could explain their feelings when assisting cases of legal interruption of pregnancy and, initially, one of those found in answers to the interview was indifference and detachment regarding the decision made by the woman who entered the protocol of legal interruption of pregnancy, as evidenced in the following report.

Indifferent, normally, I think that everyone knows what they do, I do not have to judge anyone (P1).

[...] I think the patient has a right to do what she thinks is right. It does not mean that I would do it for me, right? (P3)

When dealing with abortion issues, it is understood in the same way that the professionals can be faced with a reality permeated by unpleasant feelings inherent to their will, having their conducts and opinions marked based on the reality they have already experienced. Thus, conflicts or even painful personal experiences can be unconsciously projected to the user.

[...] [because I had a personal issue] this whole situation touches me a lot. For this more personal case. The situation becomes more difficult by messing with several feelings. I'm not against it, but I also don't feel good about situations like this [...] (P15).

In the statements, the participants also brought the question of distrust in relation to the report made by the women in relation to the situation of sexual violence, a necessary stage to access the protocol of legal interruption of pregnancy.

[...] Unless in those heavier cases, where you know it is true, these bring up anguish, feeling of helplessness, they really hurt us (P1).

[...] It often shocks me right, especially when it's violence right?... When violence comes like this, it shocks me a lot, I get a little... When it's physical violence, whether it's a family member or a stranger on the street. I get a lot of pity for those, you know? This I, let’s say, how can I to tell you... I understand more (P8).

It is possible to perceive that there is distrust on the women's report; in the following statements, it is also observed that the protocol to access the service seems to be underestimated, greater rigidity at this stage of the protocol being called into question.

But what I see is that everyone who's going to come here is going to be able to do it, you understand? [...] I said this, ‘It's becoming an abortion factory! because everybody goes to [name of hospital]?’ [...] I think it had to be more rigid [...] Court order, something like that, I think that there should be something not so [easy], you know? (P2).

This feeling of distrust can generate in the professionals a sensation of impunity of women, who, in their opinion, should not have the possibility of accessing the protocol and can also generate judgment of the situations of where and how violence occurred.

Because there are many that come “Ah... I went to a club and had a drink, I don't know what... right?” or there was another one who met the boy at the [relationship application] then finally woke up at his house. So, a little stranger stories (P8).

I've already heard like this ‘I went to get a ride, I was taken to a beach farther away’ things like that, we don't hear that anymore. Most of the reports are party reports, in the middle of parties (P12).

In addition to indifference and distrust, sadness was also obtained as a response, where the view of the procedure and expulsion of the fetus itself can be taken into account.

Look, I don't feel well [...] people think about life, they don't think about death. So for me it's a death, it's a mowed life, regardless of the circumstance that was... (P12).

I get sad [...] I feel it is sad to take the fetus and put it in the pot. I've seen the doctor do it and leave it over the sink [to die]. [...] I think it's very sad (P13).

But we had here in the [sector] a baby who was born alive, who stayed at the nursing station, on a tray, gasping. So, look, are we a reference in this service? [...] I don't even know what it's like to look at a child, dying on a tray and the law tells you that that child has to die (P16).

Despite the feelings described above, some people manage to express empathy for the suffering of others, trying to give a different meaning to this woman's search for the service, understanding that, in this process, it is important to respect the woman's choice, safeguarding her well-being and guaranteeing the care described in the Law, both in ethical and practical as well as legal aspects, thus avoiding individual judgment.

Feelings are diverse and often ambivalent. The impotence in front of violence situations permeates the entire service; however, at the same time, the power of listening as an intervention strategy allows the subject to be re-signified, and from there, the sensation and possibility give way to support and comfort for the women who arrive at the service (P9).

My initial concern is how she will be welcomed by the team, I always wonder if she was treated well in the emergency and in the screening. [...] I believe that the main baggage that a professional should have for these situations is knowing how to welcome and listen to her (P14).

Ways of coping and support service of the institution

From the feelings that were made explicit in the speeches, the participants were asked if they use any personal or group strategy to be able to deal with the emotions that arise, whether from a positive or negative perspective. Some professionals recognize that they seek help from professionals in order to deal with the psychological issue generated by the procedure.

Therapy, right? [...] It's hard for me to harden up, but sometimes I'm like ‘Oh, what am I doing for this yet?’ I start to question myself. I do therapy, so that's where I take out the stress (P18).

While others seek this help in relationships with colleagues, family and religion or even trying not to think about what happened.

Not really that is what, foundation of faith, are the foundations of my faith, I seek help in my God (P16).

I think we just talk to each other about some stranger case, I try not to think about what happened (P5).

The only way that I find to deal with this feeling is by talking to the people I love, or even colleagues, but mainly with the family (P20).

Some professionals also brought the concern with their own mental health, recognizing that the situation they assist tends to cause wear out or even loss of sensitivity to these cases.

I need to pay attention so that the ideas against abortion do not interfere with care. This contradiction generates, in most cases, an emotional strain on the professional who provides care (P11).

At the same time, I also need to protect myself, as a professional, not to be nervous, which is a situation that requires welcoming, empathy for that user, but at the same time it cannot destabilize you in terms of health mental (P18).

Some study participants pointed out the lack of support from the institution towards them, bringing at some moment the importance that this would have in their professional practice.

As a woman and as a health professional, I feel violated in some way, as meeting these situations generates emotional and psychological impacts on the professionals and, on the other hand, the institution does not offer any type of care directed to the professionals (P10).

I just think that there should be psychological support for the team. I should work with the team, before we start. That at some moment that she is uncomfortable, that she has this psychologist to assist her, it could be down there [services for workers' health in the institution]. For us to be able to vent, with a psychologist, a therapy, I think it is very interesting indeed, very valid. We don't have, for now we don’t have, but I believe that in the future it will evolve (P17).

One of the participants informs in her interview that it would be of interest to the institution to support the health of employees, but they still do not offer this service as they would like, although there is a listening movement.

Not yet [offer] [...] But they [employees] speak a little ok, at least they never arrived like this, they never reached the level of [person name] I am living it [...] But we already listen, we know the need for that (P21).

DISCUSSION

When it comes to the subject of the legal interruption of pregnancy, it is believed that it can bring even more emotional issues of confrontation, and fragility in the professionals due to the duality that this situation can possess. On one side of the situation there is the woman in a moment of fragility and, on the other, the pregnancy that is about to be interrupted and all the personal meanings that she can bring to the professionals based on her beliefs and values. By dedicating their life and training to the health area, the person assumes the commitment to heal and/or take care of others in an integral way but, when faced with taboo or difficult situations, as in the case of legal interruption of pregnancy, there may be mobilization of diverse feelings.

When dealing with health/disease and living/dying situations, the health professionals are daily exposed to situations that generate sensations and feelings of different dimensions that can clash with their personal beliefs and opinions. However, it is important to emphasize that humanized and comprehensive care is a constitutional right of women seeking health services, and the personal values of the health professional cannot overlay the Law.1313. Lemos A, Russo JA. Profissionais de saúde e o aborto: o dito e o não dito em uma capacitação profissional em saúde. Interface Comunic Saúde [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2018 Nov 05];18(49):301-12. Available from: https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/icse/2014.v18n49/301-312/pt
https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/icse/2014.v...

The blaming of the victim of sexual violence, and the fear of being judged, humiliated and repudiated, are reasons that lead the woman to be silent and not to denounce or report the facts. However, when she decides to report, she has to repeat the story several times, for the family, professionals and authorities, and live with feelings, such as the indifference reported by the participants in this study.1414. Cacique DB, Junior RP, Osis MJD. Opiniões, conhecimento e atitudes de profissionais da saúde sobre o aborto induzido: uma revisão das pesquisas brasileiras publicadas entre 2001 e 2011. Saúde Soc [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2018 Nov 05];22(3):916-36. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-12902013000300023
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...

Although there is a projection movement for psychological aspects and respect for the autonomy of women over the legal interruption of pregnancy, the emphasis on care is still focused on physical and reproductive recovery. Clinical knowledge, linked to the development of skills and techniques, the maturation of personal attitudes, and ethical and professional postures, are fundamental elements for the integral care of women undergoing an abortion process.1515. Machin R, Couto MT, Rocha ALS, Costa MRM. Formação médica e assistência aos processos de abortamento: a perspectiva de residentes de duas universidades públicas em São Paulo, Brasil. Interface (Botucatu) [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2019 Sept 20];23:e180370. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.180370
https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.180370...

The reliability of the user's report can be questioned due to personal distrust, which can directly interfere in the decision whether or not she can access this service.66. Lima MCD, Larocca LM, Nascimento DJ. Abortamento legal após estupro: histórias reais, diálogos necessários. Saúde Debate [Internet]. 2019 [citado 2019 Sept 18];43(121):417-28. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-1104201912110
https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-11042019121...
,1616. Anghinetti H, Silva F, Souza CMB, Pereira NA, Figueiredo AC, Teixeira FVS, et al. Aborto legal: percepção de profissionais sobre as dificuldades no atendimento das vítimas de violência sexual. Rev Med Minas Gerais [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2018 Nov 5];26(Suppl 8):S25-9. Available from: http://www.rmmg.org/exportar-pdf/2117/v26s8a06.pdf
http://www.rmmg.org/exportar-pdf/2117/v2...

Directly dealing with the legal interruption of pregnancy in the cases provided by Law, Ordinance 1508/2005, provides for the justification and authorization in cases provided for in Law 2848/40, specifically in art. 128, where the four phases for accessing the protocol are described, including the detailed report of the event carried out by the woman in front of two health professionals and after issuing a technical opinion by the physician taking into account ultrasound, physical and gynecological examination, anamnesis among others, in addition to the term of responsibility, term of approval for interruption of pregnancy resulting from rape, term of free and informed consent for interruption of pregnancy resulting from sexual violence.1717. Diniz D, Dios VC, Mastrella M, Madeiro AP. A verdade do estupro nos serviços de aborto legal no Brasil. Rev Bioét [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2018 Sept 01];22(2):291-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-80422014222010
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-80422014222...

This distrust can raise questions as to whether the protocol itself should be more rigid and require legal means for its access. The fact of being in a situation of sexual violence does not guarantee the woman access to legal interruption by itself, she needs the situation to be narrated to different professionals and in different situations and, in this, way she may or may not be accepted as a victim. This search for the truth causes the woman's word to lose its legitimacy, thus putting the veracity of the facts in doubt.1818. De Zordo S. Representações e experiências sobre aborto legal e ilegal dos ginecologistas-obstetras trabalhando em dois hospitais maternidade de Salvador da Bahia. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2018 Nov 11];7(7):1745-54. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232012000700013
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-8123201200...

These attitudes are closely connected with the value judgment of each professional, where in some situations the truth of the report is questioned and thus they question whether there is a need to condition the performance of the procedure before a specific occurrence report and medical report11. Romagnoli J. Aborto no caso de gravidez resultante de estupro: o prazo de escolha para a vítima. Rev Doctum Direito [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Sept 19];1(3). Available from: http://revista.doctum.edu.br/index.php/dir/article/view/219/216
http://revista.doctum.edu.br/index.php/d...
,1515. Machin R, Couto MT, Rocha ALS, Costa MRM. Formação médica e assistência aos processos de abortamento: a perspectiva de residentes de duas universidades públicas em São Paulo, Brasil. Interface (Botucatu) [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2019 Sept 20];23:e180370. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.180370
https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.180370...
or the need for the woman to be referred to the ethics committee to ascertain the truth of the facts.1919. Aguiar HC, Zornig S. Luto fetal: a interrupção de uma promessa. Estilos Clin [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2018 Oct 22];21(2):264-81. Available from: http://www.revistas.usp.br/estic/article/view/131009/127450
http://www.revistas.usp.br/estic/article...

Distrust is particularly directed at women with heterosexual relationships or at those who are seen as “different” by the professionals.1818. De Zordo S. Representações e experiências sobre aborto legal e ilegal dos ginecologistas-obstetras trabalhando em dois hospitais maternidade de Salvador da Bahia. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2018 Nov 11];7(7):1745-54. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232012000700013
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-8123201200...
In this study, no response was obtained with these characteristics; however, statements about distrust towards the place and the circumstances of the event were observed, thus evidencing that there really is a standard for believing in the women's reports.

When it comes to bad feelings and to the professionals' explicit speech referring to the procedure itself and any question of exposure to the death of the fetus, there is the question that the health professional's mission is to be life-saving agents and, in the view of these professionals, the fetus will always be a life, regardless of its gestational age. This occurs because the maternity ward is a hospital space where death is not usually thought of.2020. Lemos LFS, Cunha ACB. Morte na maternidade: como profissionais de saúde lidam com a perda. Psicologia em Estudo [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2021 Oct 18];20(1):13-22. Available from: https://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/PsicolEstud/article/view/23885
https://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/...

The fact that the fetus seems alive at the moment of expulsion and that there is no possibility of doing anything to alleviate this moment can cause the professional to feel helpless and guilty. Given the aforementioned, it is believed that the professionals working in maternity hospitals and who are little exposed to situations and experiences like these should be better prepared, thus aiming at reducing emotional exhaustion and their difficulties in accepting finitude and the procedure of interruption itself, observing its several facets.

In this sense, there is a need for training the health professionals to deal with cases of violence.55. Machado CL, Fernandes AMS, Osis MJD, Makuch MY. Gravidez após violência sexual: vivência de mulheres em busca da interrupção legal. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2017 Aug 18];31(2):345-53. Available from Available from https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csp/2015.v31n2/345-353/pt
https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csp/2015.v3...
The absence of training or welcoming to these professionals can result in greater emotional overload for them, as evidenced in some statements described in this study.

For the woman, this empathy is highlighted as a positive aspect of her hospitalization, as this non-condemnatory attitude makes her feel truly welcomed and not to blame for the violence suffered or the performance of the procedure itself; after all, when subjecting to it, she is running life-threatening or minimally sequelae, in addition to being at risk of triggering episodes of post-traumatic stress.55. Machado CL, Fernandes AMS, Osis MJD, Makuch MY. Gravidez após violência sexual: vivência de mulheres em busca da interrupção legal. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2017 Aug 18];31(2):345-53. Available from Available from https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csp/2015.v31n2/345-353/pt
https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csp/2015.v3...
,1717. Diniz D, Dios VC, Mastrella M, Madeiro AP. A verdade do estupro nos serviços de aborto legal no Brasil. Rev Bioét [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2018 Sept 01];22(2):291-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-80422014222010
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-80422014222...
With the various repetitions of narrating what happened, this woman can have greater compromise of her emotional and psychological state, so it is necessary for the professionals of the service to carry out strategies that aim to reduce her exposure to traumatic events.2121. Trigueiro TH, Silva MH, Oliveira DM, Jesus MCP, Merighi MAB. Não adesão ao seguimento ambulatorial por mulheres que experienciaram a violência sexual. Texto Contexto Enferm [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2019 May 09];27(1):e6490015. Avaiable from: Avaiable from: https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018006490015
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018006...

The feelings experienced by the participants in this study can reflect the emotional overload of the professionals in the face of situations of legal interruption of pregnancy that occur in their work environment, leading them to seek help outside the institution. It is understood from this that the stress of the situation and all the facts that permeate the consultations arouse in the professional the need for external support. This can be found as previously mentioned in terms of looking for a trained professional, in a work/colleagues/friends cycle, religion and in their own family. The professional support offered by the institution is non-existent, as found in the reports. The absence of such support can result in workers' lack of motivation.2121. Trigueiro TH, Silva MH, Oliveira DM, Jesus MCP, Merighi MAB. Não adesão ao seguimento ambulatorial por mulheres que experienciaram a violência sexual. Texto Contexto Enferm [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2019 May 09];27(1):e6490015. Avaiable from: Avaiable from: https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018006490015
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018006...
The psychological distress of the employees is a problem that the institution should address and thus promote the appropriate means to preserve their health and enable the treatment of internal conditions, understanding that the work performed depends deeply on the mental health of the worker.2121. Trigueiro TH, Silva MH, Oliveira DM, Jesus MCP, Merighi MAB. Não adesão ao seguimento ambulatorial por mulheres que experienciaram a violência sexual. Texto Contexto Enferm [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2019 May 09];27(1):e6490015. Avaiable from: Avaiable from: https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018006490015
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018006...

In 2017, the project for Improvement and Innovation in Care and Education in Obstetrics and Neonatology (Aprimoramento e Inovação no Cuidado e Ensino em Obstetrícia e Neonatologia, Apice On) was created, an initiative of the Ministry of Health in partnership with educational and training institutions that aims to contribute to the implementation of care and assistance practices in obstetric and neonatal areas based on scientific evidence, strengthening of sexual and reproductive health actions, and implementation of humanized care for women in situations of abortion and legal abortion. In this sense, among its objectives are the implementation of humanized care in situations of sexual violence and legal abortion and encouraging the development of research studies related to this theme.2222. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Apice On - Aprimoramento e inovação no cuidado e ensino em Obstetrícia e Neonatalogia [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2018 Mar 24] Available from: http://portalarquivos.saude.gov.br/images/pdf/2017/agosto/18/apice-on-2017-08-11.pdf
http://portalarquivos.saude.gov.br/image...
It is believed that initiatives like this can contribute to minimizing the suffering and distress of the professionals in the face of cases of legal interruption of pregnancy and encourage the institutions to develop permanent education actions to qualify assistance to women in situations of violence and legal abortion.

CONCLUSION

This study aimed to highlight the feelings and ways of coping of the multi-professional team that works with cases of legal interruption of pregnancy; it evidenced that a large part of the health professionals who assist these cases of legal interruption of pregnancy is not prepared to experience the aspects that this process unleashes in themselves. The expression of the meanings that the interruption causes by itself allows for the view of opposite and often conflicting dimensions coexisting in the same person. Reports of sadness and empathy were obtained, which brings a rich insight into the subjectivity of the person in their professional environment, in cases also influenced by the personal side. The question of distrust found in the participants' speeches also brings with it the reflection of how these cases are approached and of how there is personal judgment regarding the speech of the woman in a situation of sexual violence.

Based on the analysis of the data, it was noticed that the professionals tend to assist women in the best possible manner, within the guidelines of the humanization policy, not allowing their personal perspectives to influence their assistance, but it is undeniable that it can bring feelings not favorable to their mental health. The ways of coping found were searching for professional support outside the institution, family, informal conversations and religion. It was also observed that the need for institutional support to these professionals would be necessary.

It is believed that the study achieved the proposed objectives and the following recommendations can be made: inclusion of the theme in the training of health professionals or a better approach to it, training for the professionals who work with these types of situations, but mainly the creation of a service that offers/enables psychological support to them.

REFERENCES

  • 1. Romagnoli J. Aborto no caso de gravidez resultante de estupro: o prazo de escolha para a vítima. Rev Doctum Direito [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Sept 19];1(3). Available from: http://revista.doctum.edu.br/index.php/dir/article/view/219/216
    » http://revista.doctum.edu.br/index.php/dir/article/view/219/216
  • 2. Pinto LSS, Oliveira IMP, Pinto ESS, Leite CBC, Melo AN, Deus MCBR. Políticas públicas de proteção à mulher: avaliação do atendimento em saúde de vítimas de violência sexual. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Sept 19];22(5):1501-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017225.33272016
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017225.33272016
  • 3. Waiselfisz JJ. Mapa da violência 2015: homicídio de mulheres no Brasil. 2015 [cited 2018 Aug 28]. Available from: https://www.mapadaviolencia.org.br/pdf2015/MapaViolencia_2015_mulheres.pdf
    » https://www.mapadaviolencia.org.br/pdf2015/MapaViolencia_2015_mulheres.pdf
  • 4. Lima RS, Bueno S. Anuário Brasileiro de Segurança Pública. [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2018 Aug 28]. Available from: http://www.forumseguranca.org.br/storage/10_anuario_site_18-11-2016
    » http://www.forumseguranca.org.br/storage/10_anuario_site_18-11-2016
  • 5. Machado CL, Fernandes AMS, Osis MJD, Makuch MY. Gravidez após violência sexual: vivência de mulheres em busca da interrupção legal. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2017 Aug 18];31(2):345-53. Available from Available from https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csp/2015.v31n2/345-353/pt
    » https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csp/2015.v31n2/345-353/pt
  • 6. Lima MCD, Larocca LM, Nascimento DJ. Abortamento legal após estupro: histórias reais, diálogos necessários. Saúde Debate [Internet]. 2019 [citado 2019 Sept 18];43(121):417-28. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-1104201912110
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-1104201912110
  • 7. Moreira GAR, Freitas KM, Cavalcanti LF, Viera LJEV, Silva RM. Cualificación de profesionales de la salud para la atención de mujeres en situación de violencia sexual. Trab Educ Saúde [Internet]. 2018 [citado 2019 Sept 18];16(3):1039-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-7746-sol00156
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-7746-sol00156
  • 8. Rocha WB, Silva AC, Leite SML, Cunha T. Percepção de profissionais da saúde sobre abortamento legal. Rev Bioét [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2018 Apr 16];23(2):387-99. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-80422015232077
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-80422015232077
  • 9. Prefeitura Municipal de Florianópolis. Protocolo de atenção integral à pessoas em situação de violência sexual [Internet]. 2016 [cited 17 Nov 29] Available from: http://www.pmf.sc.gov.br/arquivos/arquivos/pdf/Protocolo_Mulher.pdf
    » http://www.pmf.sc.gov.br/arquivos/arquivos/pdf/Protocolo_Mulher.pdf
  • 10. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Portaria Nº 485, de 1º de abril de 2014. Redefine o funcionamento do Serviço de Atenção às Pessoas em Situação de Violência Sexual no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2018 Apr 17] Available from: http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegis/gm/2014/prt0485_01_04_2014.html
    » http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegis/gm/2014/prt0485_01_04_2014.html
  • 11. Vinuto J. A amostragem em bola de neve na pesquisa qualitativa: um debate em aberto. Temáticas [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2018 Mar 15] (44):203-20. Available from: https://www.ifch.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/tematicas/article/view/2144/1637
    » https://www.ifch.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/tematicas/article/view/2144/1637
  • 12. Minayo MCS. O desafio do conhecimento: pesquisa qualitativa em saúde. 14th ed. São Paulo: Hucitec; 2014.
  • 13. Lemos A, Russo JA. Profissionais de saúde e o aborto: o dito e o não dito em uma capacitação profissional em saúde. Interface Comunic Saúde [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2018 Nov 05];18(49):301-12. Available from: https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/icse/2014.v18n49/301-312/pt
    » https://www.scielosp.org/pdf/icse/2014.v18n49/301-312/pt
  • 14. Cacique DB, Junior RP, Osis MJD. Opiniões, conhecimento e atitudes de profissionais da saúde sobre o aborto induzido: uma revisão das pesquisas brasileiras publicadas entre 2001 e 2011. Saúde Soc [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2018 Nov 05];22(3):916-36. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-12902013000300023
    » http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-12902013000300023
  • 15. Machin R, Couto MT, Rocha ALS, Costa MRM. Formação médica e assistência aos processos de abortamento: a perspectiva de residentes de duas universidades públicas em São Paulo, Brasil. Interface (Botucatu) [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2019 Sept 20];23:e180370. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.180370
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.180370
  • 16. Anghinetti H, Silva F, Souza CMB, Pereira NA, Figueiredo AC, Teixeira FVS, et al. Aborto legal: percepção de profissionais sobre as dificuldades no atendimento das vítimas de violência sexual. Rev Med Minas Gerais [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2018 Nov 5];26(Suppl 8):S25-9. Available from: http://www.rmmg.org/exportar-pdf/2117/v26s8a06.pdf
    » http://www.rmmg.org/exportar-pdf/2117/v26s8a06.pdf
  • 17. Diniz D, Dios VC, Mastrella M, Madeiro AP. A verdade do estupro nos serviços de aborto legal no Brasil. Rev Bioét [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2018 Sept 01];22(2):291-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-80422014222010
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-80422014222010
  • 18. De Zordo S. Representações e experiências sobre aborto legal e ilegal dos ginecologistas-obstetras trabalhando em dois hospitais maternidade de Salvador da Bahia. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2018 Nov 11];7(7):1745-54. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232012000700013
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232012000700013
  • 19. Aguiar HC, Zornig S. Luto fetal: a interrupção de uma promessa. Estilos Clin [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2018 Oct 22];21(2):264-81. Available from: http://www.revistas.usp.br/estic/article/view/131009/127450
    » http://www.revistas.usp.br/estic/article/view/131009/127450
  • 20. Lemos LFS, Cunha ACB. Morte na maternidade: como profissionais de saúde lidam com a perda. Psicologia em Estudo [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2021 Oct 18];20(1):13-22. Available from: https://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/PsicolEstud/article/view/23885
    » https://periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/PsicolEstud/article/view/23885
  • 21. Trigueiro TH, Silva MH, Oliveira DM, Jesus MCP, Merighi MAB. Não adesão ao seguimento ambulatorial por mulheres que experienciaram a violência sexual. Texto Contexto Enferm [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2019 May 09];27(1):e6490015. Avaiable from: Avaiable from: https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018006490015
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018006490015
  • 22. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Apice On - Aprimoramento e inovação no cuidado e ensino em Obstetrícia e Neonatalogia [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2018 Mar 24] Available from: http://portalarquivos.saude.gov.br/images/pdf/2017/agosto/18/apice-on-2017-08-11.pdf
    » http://portalarquivos.saude.gov.br/images/pdf/2017/agosto/18/apice-on-2017-08-11.pdf

NOTES

  • ORIGIN OF THE ARTICLE

    Extracted from the Residency Conclusion Paper - Challenges of the multi-professional team given the legal interruption of pregnancy. from the Multi-professional Residency in Health Program of the University Hospital of the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, in 2018.
  • APPROVAL OF ETHICS COMMITTEE IN RESEARCH

    Approved in the Research Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, opinion No. 2,766,006; Certificate of Presentation for Ethical Appreciation: CAAE 91284718.8.0000.0121

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    07 Apr 2021
  • Date of issue
    2021

History

  • Received
    09 May 2019
  • Accepted
    04 Oct 2019
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Programa de Pós Graduação em Enfermagem Campus Universitário Trindade, 88040-970 Florianópolis - Santa Catarina - Brasil, Tel.: (55 48) 3721-4915 / (55 48) 3721-9043 - Florianópolis - SC - Brazil
E-mail: textoecontexto@contato.ufsc.br