Exploring factors associated with abortion in Walvis Bay community in Erongo region, Namibia

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Date
2023
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Journal ISSN
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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- ii 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
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