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Gaceta Sanitaria
Print version ISSN 0213-9111
Abstract
LAZA-VASQUEZ, Celmira et al. Experience of women with prenatal Zika virus infection who continued gestation in Colombia. Gac Sanit [online]. 2021, vol.35, n.5, pp.465-472. Epub Jan 24, 2022. ISSN 0213-9111. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2020.02.014.
Objective
To understand the decision-making process of a group of women to continue gestation following a prenatal Zika virus infection and the diagnosis of microcephaly of their fetuses.
Method
Qualitative study. Two discussion groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 women residing in the Department of Huila (Colombia) who presented a prenatal Zika virus infection between 2015 and 2016, their children were born with congenital microcephaly. The data were analyzed following the Grounded Theory approach.
Results
Four categories emerged from the analysis of the data showing a temporal process, from before to taking the decision to continue gestation following prenatal Zika virus infection to its consequences. The process begins with the diagnosis virus infection during the first trimester of gestation, continuing with medical recommendations to interrupt gestation and women's refusal to interrupt gestation, and ending with the birth of children with congenital microcephaly.
Conclusion
Women rejected abortion due to ethical conflicts based on religious beliefs and the value of motherhood. It is necessary to design social support policies for women and families affected by this problem in Colombia. Due to the international impact of the epidemic, governments should take appropriate measures to deal with future cases of Zika infections in other countries.
Keywords : Zika virus infection; Microcephaly; Pregnancy; Decision making; Eugenic abortion; Qualitative research; Colombia.