Evolution of legislation and crimes based on sexual identity or orientation in Spain: a retrospective observational study (2011-2021)

Respect for different sexual options and orientations prevents the occurrence of hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGTBI) persons for this reason. Our aim was to review the legislation that protects the rights of LGTBI people and to quantify the victimization rates of hate crimes based on sexual identity and orientation. A retrospective observational study was conducted across all regions of Spain from 2011?2021. The laws on LGTBI rights in each region were identified. Hate crime victimization data on sexual identity and orientation were collected in annual rates per 100,000 inhabitants, annual percentage change and average change during the study period to assess the trend. The regulatory development of laws against discrimination against LGTBI individuals is heterogeneous across regions. Overall, in Spain there is an upward trend in the number of hate crime victimizations motivated by sexual identity or orientation. The effectiveness of data collection, thanks to better training and awareness of police forces regarding hate crimes and the processes of data cleansing and consolidation contributes to a greater visibility of hate crimes against LGTBI people

Evolution of Legislation and the Incidence of Elective Abortion in Spain: A Retrospective Observational Study (2011-2020)

Background: According to the WHO, "unsafe abortion occurs when a pregnancy is terminated either by people lacking the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards, or both". Aim: To review the legislation that ensures access to elective abortion and the main indicators of elective abortion in Spain. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted across all regions of Spain from 2011 to 2020. The regulations of each region on the creation of the clinical committee and the creation of the registry of conscientious objector professionals were identified. Data were collected on rates of elective abortions per 1000 women, type of health center where the intervention was performed, interval of weeks of gestation, and cause. Results: After Law 2/2010 entered into force, the Spanish regions created a clinical committee; however, very few regions have a registry of conscientious objectors. During the study period, the average annual rate in Spain was 11.10 elective abortions per 1000 women between 15 and 44 years of age, showing a decreasing trend (annual percentage change of -1.92%). Only 10.67% of abortions were performed at public centers. In 90.18% of the cases, abortions were performed at the woman's request. Conclusion: Spain legislated late compared to most European Union countries. The current law is similar to that of other member states, allowing abortion at the woman's request in the first fourteen weeks and thereafter for medical reasons. Most abortions are performed at private centers, although many territorial inequalities are observed.Funding: This research was subsidized by the Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL-Nextval 2019/14).AbortionInduced abortionLegalLegislation as topicSexual healt

Evolution of the epidemiological surveillance indicators of the main sexually transmitted infections in Spain: A retrospective observational study (2011-2019)

Introduction One of the most relevant aspects of sexual health promotion is the need to carry out health education by promoting a healthy affective-sexual education, with the capacity and resources to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies. The aim of this study was to collect the evolution of epidemiological surveillance indicators of the main STIs, stratified by autonomous community after the publication of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy in Spain in 2011 and until 2019. Methods A retrospective observational study of the Spanish population with STIs from 2011-2019. The study variables were indicators of the main STIs, including annual rates of notification of infections per 100,000 inhabitants. Results There is a lack of homogeneous and systematic epidemiological surveillance records for STIs. Overall, in Spain there was an upward trend in STIs, except for HIV, which showed a clear decrease. Discussion Despite existing regulations, strategies, and sex education programs in Spain, the main STIs have been increasing over the years, and Spain is one of the countries with the highest rates in Europe.This research has been subsidized by the Valdecilla Health Re- search Institute (IDIVAL- Nextval 2019/14)Sexually transmitted diseasesSexual and reproductive healthPublic healthPreventive health car