The eighth author’s name is spelled incorrectly. The correct name is Heidi Stockl.
There is an error in the fourth sentence of the penultimate paragraph in the Discussion section. The correct sentence is: Femicide was, for a long time, only addressed in Europe under the wider umbrella of violence against women. It gained greater research and public attention by European and global projects and institutions only in the last decade, under the COST Action IS1206 on Femicide, the EU Daphne Justice Programmes and addressed through ACUNS (Academic Council on the United Nations System) [44].
This updated sentence cites a new reference, which is: Weil, S. “Femicide in Europe”. In: Dimitrijevic, M., Filip, A and Platzer M (eds) Femicide: a Global Issue that Demands Action. Taking Action against Gender-Related Killing of Women and Girls, Vol. 4. Vienna: ACUNS; 2015. Pp.118-121.
This research presents the explanatory model of the process of reconstruction of the ʺsocial problemʺ of Intimate Partner Violence (I.P.V) in Spain during last five years, with special attention to the role of media in this process. Using a content analysis of the three more diffused general newspapers, a content analysis of the minutes of the Parliament, and the statistics of the police reports and murders, from January of 1997 to December of 2001, it observes the relationship between the evolution of the incidence of Intimate Partner Violence (I.P.V) (measured by the number of deaths and the number of police reports) and the evolution of stories about this topic in press. It also studies the interconnection of the two previous variables with the political answer to the problem (measured by the interventions on the I.P.V. in the Senate and in the Congress). Data shows that, even though police reports have increased due to the contribution of politics and media, I.P.V murders keep on growing up.
This study aimed to determine if legislation on violence against women (VAW) worldwide contains key components recommended by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United Nations (UN) to help strengthen VAW prevention and provide better integrated victim protection, support, and care. A systematic search for VAW legislation using international legal databases and other electronic sources plus data from previous research identified 124 countries/territories with some type of VAW legislation. Full legal texts were found for legislation from 104 countries/territories. Those available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were downloaded and compiled and the selection criteria applied (use of any of the common terms related to VAW, including intimate partner violence (IPV), and reference to at least two of six sectors (education, health, judicial system, mass media, police, and social services) with regard to VAW interventions (protection, support, and care). A final sample from 80 countries/territories was selected and analyzed for the presence of key components recommended by PAHO and the UN (reference to the term "violence against women" in the title; definitions of different types of VAW; identification of women as beneficiaries; and promotion of (reference to) the participation of multiple sectors in VAW interventions). Few countries/territories specifically identified women as the beneficiaries of their VAW legislation, including those that labeled their legislation "domestic violence" law ( n = 51), of which only two explicitly mentioned women as complainants/survivors. Only 28 countries/territories defined the main forms of VAW (economic, physical, psychological, and sexual) in their VAW legislation. Most highlighted the role of the judicial system, followed by that of social services and the police. Only 28 mentioned the health sector. Despite considerable efforts worldwide to strengthen VAW legislation, most VAW laws do not incorporate the key recommended components. Significant limitations were found in the legislative content, its application, and the extent to which it provided women with integrated protection, support, and care. In developing new VAW legislation, policymakers should consider the vital role of health services. ; El estudio se centró en determinar si la legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer en el mundo contiene los elementos fundamentales que recomiendan la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) y las Naciones Unidas (NU) para ayudar a fortalecer la prevención de la violencia contra la mujer y brindar mejor protección, apoyo y atención integrados a las víctimas. Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda sistemática de la legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer utilizando bases de datos jurídicas internacionales y otras fuentes electrónicas, además de los datos de investigaciones anteriores, y se identificaron 124 países o territorios con algún tipo de legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer. Se encontraron textos jurídicos completos con legislación de 104 países o territorios. Se descargaron y compilaron aquellos disponibles en inglés, portugués y español, y se sometieron a los criterios de selección (uso de alguno de los términos frecuentes relacionados con la violencia contra la mujer, inclusive la violencia de pareja, y referencia al menos a dos entre seis sectores de servicios [educación, salud, sistema judicial, medios masivos de comunicación, policía y servicios sociales] respecto de las intervenciones relacionadas con la violencia contra la mujer [protección, apoyo y atención]). Se seleccionó una muestra final de 80 países o territorios y se analizó en ella la presencia de los componentes clave recomendados por la OPS y las NU (referencia a la "violencia contra la mujer" en el título; definiciones de diferentes formas de violencia contra la mujer; identificación de las mujeres como beneficiarias; y promoción de [referencia a] la participación de múltiples sectores en las intervenciones relacionadas con la violencia contra la mujer). Pocos países o territorios identificaron específicamente a las mujeres como beneficiarias de su legislación sobre violencia contra la mujer, incluidos los que denominaban su legislación como ley de "violencia doméstica" (n = 51), de los cuales solo dos mencionaban explícitamente a las mujeres como demandantes o supervivientes. Solo 28 países o territorios definieron las formas principales de violencia contra la mujer (económica, física, psicológica y sexual) en su legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer. La mayoría destacaron la función del sistema judicial, seguida por la función de los servicios sociales y la policía. Solo 28 hicieron mención al sector de la salud. A pesar de los considerables esfuerzos que se han hecho en todo el mundo para fortalecer la legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer, la mayoría de las leyes relativas a la violencia contra la mujer no incorporan los componentes clave recomendados. Se han encontrado importantes limitaciones en el contenido legislativo, en su aplicación y en la medida en que se proporcionó a las mujeres protección, apoyo y atención integrados. A la hora de elaborar la nueva legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer, las instancias normativas deben considerar la función vital de los servicios de salud. ; This research was made possible thanks to sponsorship from the Women's Health Observatory (Observatorio de Salud de la Mujer) of the Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality (Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad).
Objetivo: El estudio analiza el discurso de algunos miembros del Parlamento español en los 2 años previos a la aprobación de la Ley de Protección Integral contra la violencia de género para explorar cómo la violencia de género es percibida durante el proceso de institucionalización de medidas legales. Métodos: Fueron entrevistados 10 miembros de 6 partidos políticos con representación en el Parlamento español entre noviembre de 2002 y marzo de 2003. Cada entrevista fue grabada y transcrita. Se realizó un análisis de discurso con el Atlas.ti 4.2. Resultados: Se observó en el análisis de las entrevistas un discurso en torno a la denuncia de las mujeres afectadas como el principal medio para las instituciones políticas para intervenir e intentar combatir la violencia de género. Los entrevistados proponen los siguientes pasos a realizar por las víctimas con el fin de acabar con la violencia: denunciar a la policía, proteger a las víctimas, castigar a los maltratadores, y evitar los problemas y las muertes mediante las diferentes medidas existentes (ley, policía, servicios de atención). Conclusiones: Se ponen de manifiesto los efectos de la construcción de un problema social y la movilización de grupos de mujeres y medios de comunicación. Uno es la creciente preocupación de los parlamentarios por este tema. La solución es identificada mediante los instrumentos del Parlamento (promoción de cambios en la legislación) y el Gobierno (incrementar la disponibilidad de recursos económicos). Las propuestas de actuación pública de las parlamentarias entrevistadas se centran en la denuncia, y resultan inexistentes o imprecisas las alternativas para las víctimas que no denuncian. ; Objective: This study analyzes the discourse of some members of the Spanish parliament (MPs) in the 2 years before the Gender Violence Act was passed in 2004 to examine how gender-based violence is construed when legal measures are proposed. Methods: Ten members of six different parties of the Spanish parliament were interviewed between November 2002 and March 2003. Each interview was recorded and transcribed. A discourse analysis was performed with Atlas.ti 4.2. Results: Analysis of the interviews showed a discourse that revolved around the victim's report as the main mechanism for the public authorities to intervene and try to end gender based violence. The interviewees proposed the following steps to help victims to escape from violence: reporting violence to the police, the provision of victim protection, punishment of the perpetrator, and avoidance of problems and death through different measures (law, police, support services). Conclusions: Our analysis shows how a major social problem and the mobilization of women and mass media have had several effects. One of these effects is that lawmakers have turned their attention to this social concern. A solution to this phenomenon is being sought through the mechanisms of the Spanish parliament (promoting changes in the law) and government (making more economic resources available). The public action proposed by the MPs interviewed focuses on reporting; their discourse does not include alternative options (or includes only vague options) for victims not reporting violence. ; Instituto de Salud Carlos III a través de la Red de Investigación sobre Salud y Género; Observatorio de Salud de la Mujer del Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo
In this qualitative study we explored how gender shapes the women´s experiences of living with Fibromyalgia and how it affects their private lives. Through thematic analysis of data from 13 in-depth interviews in Spain, we identified 7 themes which reflect that these women feel remorse and frustration for not being able to continue to fulfil the gender expectation of caring for others and for the home. This research contributes to a better understanding into what suffering from fibromyalgia implies for women and provides insights into how family and providers can support women with fibromyalgia in order to achieve a beneficial lifestyle. ; This study is part of a wider research project financed by the Regional Valencian Government's Joan Gil-Albert Cultural Institute in Alicante (Spain) and the Women´s Studies Center of the University of Alicante.
Objetivos: Explorar la distribución temporal de la mortalidad por violencia del compañero íntimo (VCI) e identificar posibles agrupamientos temporales en la ocurrencia de muertes por VCI en España. Métodos: Estudio epidemiológico descriptivo basado en las muertes de mujeres por VCI incluidas en el registro de la Federación de Mujeres Separadas y Divorciadas (1998-2003). Se calculó la razón entre las muertes por VCI sucedidas en el mes correspondiente y la mediana de muertes del quinquenio anterior (índice epidémico) desde enero hasta julio de 2003. Se aplicó el modelo de Poisson para contrastar las diferencias observadas por años (1998-2002), por estaciones, por meses y por días de la semana, y se realizó un análisis de regresión simple con la media trimestral de muertes por VCI. Por último, se realizó un análisis de agrupamientos temporales. Resultados: Se observó un índice epidémico (IE) elevado en la mortalidad por VCI en los meses de enero (IE = 1,6), marzo (IE = 1,2), mayo (IE = 1,5), junio (IE = 2) y julio (IE = 2,4) de 2003. Teniendo como referencias el año 1998 y el día de la semana domingo, respectivamente, la mortalidad por VCI resultó significativamente mayor en 2001 (riesgo relativo [RR] = 1,52; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC del 95%], 1,05-2,20) y los lunes (RR = 1,77; IC del 95%, 1,13-2,76). El análisis de regresión confirmó la tendencia creciente entre el primer trimestre de 1998 y el último de 2001 (p = 0,022). No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas ni por meses ni por estaciones. No se dieron agrupamientos temporales en la distribución de las muertes por VCI. Conclusiones: La violencia del compañero íntimo es en la actualidad una epidemia creciente en España en la que no se detecta un patrón temporal definido. Los esfuerzos políticos y legales de la sociedad para aminorar este problema no parecen estar teniendo éxito. ; Objectives: To analyze the temporal distribution of mortality due to violence by intimate partners (VIP) and to identify possible temporal clusters in women deaths by VIP in Spain. Methods: We performed a descriptive epidemiological study based on the VIP deaths included in the database of the Federation of Divorced and Separated Women (1998-2003). The epidemic index (EI) was calculated as the ratio between the actual number of VIP deaths in a given month from January to July 2003 and the median number in the same month in the five preceding years. A Poisson model was used to analyze the distribution by years (1998-2002), seasons, months, and days. Simple regression analysis was performed with three monthly means. A temporal cluster analysis was also carried out. Results: In 2003, the EI of VIP mortality was high in January (EI = 1.6), March (EI = 1.2), May (EI = 1.5), June (EI = 2), and July (EI = 2.5). Compared with 1998 and Sundays, respectively, mortality due to VIP was significantly increased in 2001 (relative risk, RR = 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05- 2.20) and on Mondays (RR = 1.77; 95%CI, 1.13-2.76). The regression analyses confirmed an increase between the first three-month period of 1998 and the last three-month period of 2001. There were no differences between seasons and months. No temporal clusters of deaths were detected. Conclusions: VIP is currently an increasing epidemic in Spain with no clear temporal pattern. Political and legal efforts to reduce this problem do not seem to be successful. ; Instituto de la Mujer, Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales, ISC-III.
In this qualitative study we explored how gender shapes the women´s experiences of living with Fibromyalgia and how it affects their private lives. Through thematic analysis of data from 13 in-depth interviews in Spain, we identified 7 themes which reflect that these women feel remorse and frustration for not being able to continue to fulfil the gender expectation of caring for others and for the home. This research contributes to a better understanding into what suffering from fibromyalgia implies for women and provides insights into how family and providers can support women with fibromyalgia in order to achieve a beneficial lifestyle. ; This study is part of a wider research project financed by the Regional Valencian Government's Joan Gil-Albert Cultural Institute in Alicante (Spain) and the Women´s Studies Center of the University of Alicante.
The risk of disease, disability, and mortality as well as access to health services are unfairly distributed among the population, with certain groups bearing an unequally larger burden of ill health and poorer access to care due to gender, sexual identity/orientation, ethnic background, or class. According to the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH), these health inequalities emanate from socioeconomic and political factors (governance, cultural values, macroeconomic policies), which generate a set of socioeconomic positions in society according to which populations are stratified based on gender, ethnicity, education, income, or other factors. These societal inequalities influence people's material and psychosocial circumstances as well as behavioral and biological factors, which in turn impact on health inequalities. Tackling gender, race/ethnic, and socioeconomic inequalities in society is thus recognized as the most powerful action to cope with unequal health risks distribution, and social innovations focusing on these 'root causes' are needed in order to prevent and stop endemic social inequalities and social exclusion in health within low-income as well as high-income countries. Increasing existing knowledge and making visible the health status of the most vulnerable and invisible groups are critical in order to contribute to this imperative challenge.
Fundamento: la violencia del compañero íntimo contra las mujeres (VCI) ha recibido especial dedicación de la agenda política española. A pesar de la importancia de las intervenciones desarrolladas, la evidencia empírica sobre su efectividad es todavía escasa. El objetivo de este estudio es explorar la distribución temporal de las denuncias y muertes por VCI e identificar posibles cambios de tendencia en las muertes y denuncias por VCI a partir de la Ley española contra la violencia de género de diciembre de 2004. Métodos: estudio descriptivo de denuncias y muertes por VCI (1998-2006) basado en las estadísticas del Instituto de la Mujer y la Federación de Mujeres Separadas y Divorciadas. Cálculos: Tasas de mortalidad ajustadas por edad y tasa de denuncias por años y periodos en torno a la ley (1998-2004 vs. 2005-2006); Regresión de Poisson; e, Índices epidémicos mensual –razón entre casos mensuales y mediana de casos de los meses correspondientes al quinquenio anterior al mes para el que se calcula el índice– y subyacente –media anual de las puntuaciones del índice epidémico mensual– de denuncias y muertes. Resultados: Desde 2005, las puntuaciones de los índices epidémicos muestran una tendencia decreciente. Sin embargo, la posibilidad de denunciar VCI entre 2005 y 2006 es 1,6 veces superior que entre 1998 y 2004. El riesgo de morir por esta causa no muestra cambios estadísticamente significativos. Conclusión: con el paso del tiempo se ha incrementado la posibilidad de denunciar VCI en España. Sin embargo, el riesgo de morir se mantiene. Aunque todavía es pronto para la evaluación del impacto de la ley en esta epidemia, puede decirse que su eficacia para la reducción de la mortalidad por VCI parece limitada. ; Background: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) has received special attention in the Spanish political agenda. Despite the importance of developed interventions, empirical evidence about their effectiveness is scarce. The aim of this study is to explore the temporary distribution of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) reports and murders and to identify possible changes in the risk of dying and reporting by IPV from the Spanish law against gender violence of December of 2004. Methods: We performed a descriptive study based on statistics of The Woman's Institute and The Divorced and Separated Women Federation. Calculations: IPV mortality and reports rates by years and periods around the law (1998-2004 vs. 2005-2006); Poisson Regression; and, Epidemic index by months –Ratio between the actual number of IPV murders and reports in a given month and the median number of cases in the same month in the five preceding years– and underlying epidemic index –annual average of the scores of the epidemic index of reports and murders. Results: The epidemic index trends permit us to observe that the problem has decreased since 2005. Nevertheless, the posibility of reporting IPV between 2005 and 2006 is 1.6 times upper that between 1998 and 2004. The risk of dying by this cause does not show statistically significant changes. Conclusion: The posibility of reporting IPV has been increased in Spain throughout the time. However, the risk of dying stays. Although still it is soon for the evaluation of the impact of the law in this epidemic, we could say that its effectiveness for the reduction of IPV mortality seems limited. ; Observatorio de Salud de las Mujeres del Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo de España.
The objective of this paper is to review the methodological issues that arise when studying violence against women as a public health problem, focusing on intimate partner violence (IPV), since this is the form of violence that has the greatest consequences at a social and political level. The paper focuses first on the problems of defining what is meant by IPV. Secondly, the paper describes the difficulties in assessing the magnitude of the problem. Obtaining reliable data on this type of violence is a complex task, because of the methodological issues derived from the very nature of the phenomenon, such as the private, intimate context in which this violence often takes place, which means the problem cannot be directly observed. Finally, the paper examines the limitations and bias in research on violence, including the lack of consensus with regard to measuring events that may or may not represent a risk factor for violence against women or the methodological problem related to the type of sampling used in both aetiological and prevalence studies.
The objective of this paper is to review the methodological issues that arise when studying violence against women as a public health problem, focusing on intimate partner violence (IPV), since this is the form of violence that has the greatest consequences at a social and political level. The paper focuses first on the problems of defining what is meant by IPV. Secondly, the paper describes the difficulties in assessing the magnitude of the problem. Obtaining reliable data on this type of violence is a complex task, because of the methodological issues derived from the very nature of the phenomenon, such as the private, intimate context in which this violence often takes place, which means the problem cannot be directly observed. Finally, the paper examines the limitations and bias in research on violence, including the lack of consensus with regard to measuring events that may or may not represent a risk factor for violence against women or the methodological problem related to the type of sampling used in both aetiological and prevalence studies.
BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health problem with devastating effects on young women's health. These negative effects increase when the exposure to IPV lasts for a long time and exposure at an early age increases the risk of adult IPV. Despite efforts made in the last few decades, data show little progress has been made towards its reduction. Thus, the aim of the study reported here is to explore professionals' perceptions regarding intimate partner violence (IPV) among young people, focusing on the characteristics of the phenomenon and their perceptions about existing programmes and campaigns aimed at addressing it. METHODS: Twelve professionals from education, health and municipal social services were interviewed. All but one of the interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed according to the methodology of inductive thematic analysis, with the support of Atlas.ti software. The transcripts were read several times and coded line by line. Afterwards, codes were grouped into themes. The developed themes were refined into two phases with the participation of all the authors. RESULTS: From the analysis, the following three themes were identified: "A false sense of gender equity", "IPV among young people: subtle, daily and normalized", and "Mass media campaigns do not fit young people's needs". According to the participants, psychological abuse in the form of controlling behaviour by their partners is the most common type of IPV young women are exposed to, although exposure to other types of IPV was also acknowledged. This violence was described as something subtle, daily and normalized and, consequently, not something that is easy to recognize for the girls that are exposed to it, nor for adults working with young people. CONCLUSIONS: The study participants showed good knowledge of the characteristics IPV has among young people. This knowledge was reflected in locally implemented IPV prevention projects, which they considered successful in addressing young people's needs. However, these interventions lacked formal evaluation, political support and continuation. The study participants did not believe that nationwide mass media campaigns realistically reflected the specific characteristics of IPV among young people. Thus, participants perceived these campaigns to be ineffective.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a violation of human rights and one form of discrimination compounded by other discrimination factors as migration. The risk of violence can increase among immigrant women because of the legal and economic situation and the barriers they encounter to accessing information and support services. This qualitative study explores in-depth the perspective of experienced social workers about challenges faced by immigrant women suffering from IPV in Spain. This study may help professional social workers, others professionals, and public policy makers to design effective strategies for meeting the demands and needs of this population.
Antecedentes: la obesidad es un problema de salud pública en España. Los medios de comunicación son una herramienta útil para la salud pública. Objetivo: explorar el tratamiento periodístico de la obesidad en la prensa escrita española durante 2000-2005, frecuencia de aparición, fuentes de información y enfoques, en relación con el contexto social. Materiales y métodos: análisis de contenido cuantitativo de 690 noticias publicadas en El País, El Mundo y ABC. Cálculo de frecuencias y odds ratio (OR) con intervalos de confianza (IC) del 95% y significación estadística. Resultados: incrementaron las noticias de 2000 (n=25) a 2005 (n=185). Se centraron en denuncias (36,4%) y magnitud del problema (15,7%), en detrimento de aquellas sobre iniciativas-estrategias políticas (3,8%). Destacan los hombres como fuentes informativas principales (75,5%) y las mujeres como primeras firmantes de las noticias (56,1%). Los hombres del ámbito médico-sanitario (OR=1,98;IC95%,1,11-3,57) y las mujeres del ámbito político (OR=2,54;IC95%1,46-4,42) tienen mayor probabilidad de ser la fuente informativa principal. Conclusiones: la cobertura periodística de la obesidad durante 2000-2005 aumentó, coincidiendo con el desarrollo de respuestas políticas en torno al tema. Principalmente, se denuncia el problema. Destaca la escasa cobertura periodística de iniciativas-estrategias políticas, sugiriendo incipiente interacción entre la agenda política y mediática. ; Antecedents: obesity is a public health problem in Spain. Mass media are considered a useful tool for public health. Objectives: to explore press coverage of obesity in Spanish newspapers between 2000-2005, taking into account the social context in relation to frequency of occurrence, main sources of information and focus. Materials and methods: quantitative content analysis of 690 news published in El Pais, El Mundo and ABC were performed. Calculation of frequencies and odds ratio (OR) with confidence intervals (CI) of 95% and statistical significance were performed. Results: press coverage of obesity increased between 2000 (n=25) to 2005 (n=185). Mainly it was focused on complaints (36,4%) and magnitude of the problem (15,7%) at the expense of news about initiatives-political strategies (3,8%). It was highlighted that men were the main sources of information (75,5%) and women as first signatories of the news (56,1%). Men from the medical/sanitary field (OR=1,98;CI 95%,1,11-3,57) and women from the field of policy (OR=2,54; CI 95%,1,46-4,42) were more likely to be the main source of information. Conclusions: media coverage of obesity in the period 2000-2005 increased, coinciding with the development of policy responses on this issue. Mainly, the news has reported the existence of the problem. It highlights the limited coverage of initiatives-policy strategies that could be related to an incipient interaction between the political and the media agenda.
Objetivo: Explorar la intensidad del debate parlamentario sobre el Acuerdo General de Comercio de Servicios (AGCS) asumido por España ante la Organización Mundial del Comercio (OMC), y compararla con la del Acuerdo General de Bienes (GATT). Métodos: Búsqueda sistemática y análisis del contenido de todas las iniciativas parlamentarias sobre AGCS y GATT realizadas entre 1979 y 2004 en el Congreso de los Diputados y el Senado. Se calculó la frecuencia y porcentaje de iniciativas parlamentarias de ambos temas, resultado de su tramitación y tipo de iniciativa. Resultados: Se presentaron 185 iniciativas parlamentarias sobre los acuerdos multilaterales de bienes y servicios, de las que 120 se referían al GATT, 8 al AGCS y 57 a ambos acuerdos. La mayoría de las iniciativas no fueron discutidas (GATT, 71%; GATS, 55,4%) o fueron sujeto de un debate político en el que apenas se dieron intervenciones por parte de los grupos parlamentarios. Conclusiones: A pesar de las implicaciones del acuerdo multilateral de servicios para la política sanitaria española, éste se ha asumido con escaso debate parlamentario previo, incluso menos que en el caso de su homólogo sobre bienes. Se requiere en este tema una intensificación de la función de control al gobierno. ; Objective: To explore the intensity of the debate in the Spanish Parliament on the General Agreement on Trade of Services (GATS) developed by Spain and the World Trade Organization, and to compare it with the debate on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Methods: A systematic search and content analysis were performed of all parliamentary initiatives on GATS and GATT undertaken from 1979 to 2004 in the Spanish Parliament and Senate. The frequency and percentages of initiatives on both issues were calculated, and the final result and kinds of initiative were analyzed. Results: A total of 185 initiatives were presented in the Spanish Parliament on these agreements, of which 120 were on GATT, 8 were on GATS and 57 were on both agreements. Most of these initiatives were not discussed in parliament (GATT, 71%; GATS, 55.4%) or were the subject of political debate with low participation among parliamentary groups. Conclusions: Despite the implications of the GATS for Spanish health policy, the agreement was developed with little prior political debate, which was even less intense than that on GATTS. The parliamentary function of controlling the government should be reaffirmed in Spain.
