Introduction:

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to contraceptive methods, the occurrence of unplanned pregnancies and voluntary termination-of-pregnancy in Portugal is still unknown. It is possible that the greater isolation of populations and the reorganization of health care to deal with the high number of infections may have reduced accessibility to family planning appointment with repercussions on voluntary termination-of-pregnancy.

Objectives:

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of voluntary termination-of-pregnancy in a Portuguese tertiary hospital.

Study Design:

Observational and retrospective.

Population:

1287 women who underwent a voluntary termination-of-pregnancy.

Methods:

Data collected through computerized clinical processes where the sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics of women who underwent voluntary termination-of-pregnancy were evaluated, between January 2019 and December 2020. The year 2019 was considered a pre-pandemic period and 2020 the first year of the pandemic.

Results:

In 2020, there was an increase in the number of voluntary pregnancy-interruptions. The women are mostly Portuguese, nulliparous and single. There is a reduction in the number of abortions among teenagers and an increase in women aged over 31 years, secondary education, unemployed, with little work qualification and students. There was a pronounced reduction (38%) of voluntary pregnancy-interruptions scheduled through primary care and with a family doctor. There is an increase (18%) in the number of hospital follow-up appointment and a decrease (45%) in family planning consultations scheduled at the health center. A high number of women did not use contraception before the procedure, there was an increase of 8,6% of those who chose long-acting-reversible-contraceptives and the vaginal ring after the procedure.

Conclusion:

In 2020, there was a clear decrease in the response of primary care in the area of family planning. The women, who were older, unemployed, unskilled or students, opted for long-acting reversible contraceptives and a vaginal ring.

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