The prevalence of post-abortion syndrome in patients presenting at Kalafong hospital's family medicine clinic after having a termination of pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Post-abortion syndrome (PAS) is said to be the emotional, psychological, physical and spiritual trauma caused by an abortion, which is an event outside the normal range of human experience. Post-abortion syndrome is a type of post-traumatic disorder and is characterised by a stressor (the abortion), the event being re-experienced, avoidance and/or numbing of general responsiveness, and physical symptoms such as insomnia and depression.