Exploring factors associated with abortion in Walvis Bay community in Erongo region, Namibia
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Date
2023
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Walvis Bay is one of Namibia’s districts, which recently recorded a significant
increase in the number of threatened abortion cases. For the period 2009 to 2015,
Walvis Bay town recorded an average 2000 abortion cases per year which accounts
for 4 to 6 cases per day for women aged between 15-28 years old (Erongo Health
Directorate’s Annual Report: 2014). Ninety-eight percent of the diagnostic abortion
(Threatened Abortion) conducted at Walvis Bay hospital, were treated with dilatation
and curettage in order to safely complete the abortion process whilst remaining 2%
was treated for other pregnancy disorders. The increase in abortions and increase of
maternal death due to bleeding is a big concern in the harbour town. Thus, the increase
in teenage abortion is becoming a public health concern that needs to be addressed.
The study purpose of the study was to explore factors associated with abortion in
Walvis Bay community. It was essential for a study to be conducted in order to
investigate the factors leading women to engage in unsafe abortions, and find an
amicable solution to help them access maternal health services, and help policy makers
to find solutions to address the abortion problem in the region.
A qualitative, phenomenological approach was applied. The researcher conducted in
depth interviews with key informants including community members, health care
workers and teenagers who had abortion. Population for the study was Walvis Bay
community of which key informants were made up of patients (abortion victims),
Social workers, doctors, nurses, community and religious leaders, secondary school
teachers and police officers working at women and child protection welfare. A non-
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probability purposive sampling was used to recruit the participants and a total of eight
participants were recruited and participated in the study.
The study findings revealed that there are several factors that contribute to abortion
such as burden to look after the baby while the mother is still at school, humiliation
by peers, fathers do not want the responsibility of pregnancies, some ladies have affairs
with married men, and some have multiple partners. These are some of the factors that
make young women to go for illegal abortion. Therefore, the researcher recommended
that health education programme should be strengthened to improve awareness, the
use of family planning, support system and creation of adoption centres
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of master of public health
Keywords
Abortion, Walvis Bay community, Namibia, Accessing maternal health services