From teenage unwanted pregnancy to induced abortion: who facilitates links?

Abstract

Through use of a semi-structured interview schedule, the abortion decision-making process of 150 Dar es Salaam adolescents (mean age, 17.5 years) admitted with abortion-related complications was analyzed, with particular emphasis on the involvement of social networks. The male partner was the most frequent (47.3%) first confidant after pregnancy was suspected, followed by close relatives (35.1%) and girlfriends (14.0%). 62.0%, 41,7%, and 68.8% of these confidants, respectively, advised the teen to terminate the pregnancy; the remainder tended to express a lack of interest in her predicament. The link to an abortionist was provided by mothers, sisters, or aunts in 33% of cases, by the male partner in 32% of cases, and by girlfriends in another 24%. Male partners were more likely to provide funds for the abortion--especially if the woman was a student--than to help her access an abortionist. When abortion-related complications created a need for hospitalization, only 18% of male partners provided assistance; this burden fell upon female relatives. It is postulated that male involvement, beyond the provision of money, is inhibited by the potential legal and social consequences of illegal abortion in Tanzania.