Abstract
Background: Induced abortion is one where products of conception are expelled before 28 weeks of gestation. The process can be safe or unsafe. Safe termination of pregnancy is performed by skilled persons using appropriate tools whereas unsafe induced abortion is performed either by persons without the necessary skills or in an environment without the minimum medical standards, or both.Objectives: To explore the lived experiences of women who had induced abortion in Rakai DistrictMethodology: Phenomenological qualitative design was used. Study population was women who underwent induced abortion. 25 women who had induced abortions in past 1-3years were interviewed. Data was collected by in-depth interviews, tape recorded; transcribed verbatim and written in note book.Results: Lived experiences included denial, shame, confusion, fear, anger, anxiety, depression and uncertainty. Participants reported use of local herbs like “ekiwoko†and “majaaniâ€, “etwaataâ€, “kisuula†and roots of sugar canes, among others, to induce abortion. The processes were mostly traditional, associated with: severe pain, heavy bleeding, and so on. They were life-threatening and horrible. Short- and long-term lived experiences included secondary barrenness, depression, crying-in-privacy and regrets, among others.Conclusion: Health workers and women in child-bearing age need to work together to discuss how to control unplanned pregnancies.Â
Highlights
Safe termination of pregnancy is performed by skilled persons using appropriate tools in a sanitary environment whereas unsafe induced abortion is a performed either by persons without the necessary skills or in an environment without the minimum medical standards, or both (WHO, 2011) The World Health Organization (WHO, 2006) estimates that 46 million abortions are performed each year, 20 million of which occur in countries where abortion is punishable by law
The Ministry of Health (MOH) estimates that maternal mortality due to abortion related causes was 26% in 2011 (MOH, 2012), a rate which is considerably higher than that reported in the Eastern African sub-region (13%)
This study considered a sample of 25 women who had had induced abortions in the past 1-3years
Summary
Unwanted pregnancies are on the rise, with 1.4 million pregnancies occurring in Uganda (Khan, et al, 2008) This increasing numbers of unwanted pregnancies in Uganda play a very big role on the increasing numbers of unsafe abortions, which constitutes almost one third of maternal deaths with the country’s young people (Singh, Prada, Mirembe &Kiggundu, 2005; Nalwadda, et al, 2005). This has led to increased hard lived experiences that are experienced by the victims. Conclusion: Health workers and women in child-bearing age need to work together to discuss how to control unplanned pregnancies
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