Psychosocial Experiences of Adolescent Girls and Young Women Subsequent to an Abortion in Sub-saharan Africa and Globally: A Systematic Review

Zia, Yasaman; Mugo, Nelly; Ngure, Kenneth; Odoyo, Josephine; Casmir, Edinah; Ayiera, Eric; Bukusi, Elizabeth A.; Heffron, Renee

doi:10.3389/frph.2021.638013

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 69 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Stigma permeates the social and cultural conventions that influence the decision to abort. 19 Our results mirror the findings of other previous studies. For instance, in one study of 87 adolescent girls and young women in Zambia, internalized stigma and shame caused adolescent girls and young women to consider the pros and cons of abortion in comparison to carrying on with an unplanned pregnancy as well as the emotional relief of abortion in comparison to the guilt and sin connected with it.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Phenomenology of Induced Abortion in Northern Uganda Among HIV-Positive Women Following an Unintended Pregnancy

Kabunga¹,

Acanga²,

Abal³

et al. 2023

OAJC

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background More than half of pregnancies in Uganda are unintended, and nearly a third of these end in abortion. However, little research has focused on women living with HIV’s subjective experiences following induced abortion. We explored how women living with HIV subjectively experience induced abortions in health facilities in Lira District, Uganda. Materials and Methods This was a descriptive-phenomenological study between October and November 2022. The study was conducted among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) who were HIV positive and had undergone induced abortion following an unintended pregnancy. Purposive sampling was used to sample 30 participants who could speak to the research aims and have experience with the phenomenon under scrutiny. The principle of information power was used to estimate the sample size. We conducted face-to-face, in-depth interviews to collect data. Data were presented as direct quotes while providing a contextual understanding of the lived experiences of the study participants. Results The results showed that the major causes of induced abortion were financial constraints, concern for the unborn babies, unplanned pregnancy, and complex relationships. Regarding induced abortion-related experiences, three themes emerged: loss of family support, internalized and perceived stigma, and feelings of guilt and regret. Conclusion This study highlights the lived experiences of women living with HIV following an induced abortion. The study shows that women living with HIV had induced abortions due to numerous reasons, including financial concerns, complicated relationships, and a fear of infecting their unborn babies. However, after induced abortion, the women living with HIV faced several challenges like loss of family support, stigma, and feelings of guilt and regret. Based on HIV-infected women who underwent induced abortion and an unexpected pregnancy, they may need mental health services to reduce the stigma associated with induced abortion.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Phenomenology of Induced Abortion in Northern Uganda Among HIV-Positive Women Following an Unintended Pregnancy

Kabunga¹,

Acanga²,

Abal³

et al. 2023

OAJC

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…NGOs and other organisations providing MA services frequently emphasise the inclusivity of their reach, for example, to those in humanitarian settings or to adolescents 18 , 52 . The adaptations highlight an opportunity for organisations to strengthen their focus, reach, and communication to engage with people in vulnerable settings and draw upon grassroots’ insights and strategies, such as partnership strengthening.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptations to comprehensive abortion care during the COVID-19 pandemic: case studies of provision in Bolivia, Mali, Nepal, and the occupied Palestinian territory

Sorhaindo,

Castle,

Flomen

et al. 2023

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted comprehensive abortion care provision. To maintain access to services while keeping individuals safe from infection, many organisations adapted their programmes. We conducted a programme evaluation to examine service adaptations implemented in Bolivia, Mali, Nepal, and the occupied Palestinian territory. Our programme evaluation used a case study approach to explore four programme adaptations through 14 group and individual interviews among 16 service providers, facility managers and representatives from supporting organisations. Data collection took place between October 2021 and January 2022. We identified adaptations to comprehensive abortion care services in relation to provision, health information systems and counselling, and referrals. Four overarching strategies emerged: (1) the use of digital technologies, (2) home and community outreach, (3) health worker optimisation, and (4) further consideration of groups in vulnerable situations. In Bolivia, the use of a messaging application increased access to confidential gender-based violence support and comprehensive abortion care. In Mali, the adoption of digital approaches created timely and complete data reporting and trained members of the community served as “interlocutors” between the communities and providers. In Nepal, an interim law expanded medical abortion provision to pharmacies, and home visits complemented facility-based services. In the occupied Palestinian territory, the use of a hotline and social media expanded access to quick and reliable information, counselling, referrals, and post-abortion care. Adaptations to comprehensive abortion care service delivery to mitigate disruptions to services during the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to benefit service quality of care, access to care, routine monitoring, as well as inclusivity and communication in the longer term.

show abstract

“…Research in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and Zambia also indicates that there is an increased susceptibility to depression, anxiety, and stress among AGYW during pregnancy and following abortion [53], [57], [59]. In the same studies, many of AGYW's experiences are associated with sociocultural, environmental, and economic challenges such as stigma and poverty.…”

Section: Biologicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, pregnant or parenting AGYW (aged 10-24 years) in Kenya reported facing poor healthcare access, social stigma, and a lack of emotional support. In the same vein, systematic and scoping reviews show that AGYW in SSA report similar negative psychosocial experiences in the context of pregnancy, motherhood, and abortion [57]- [59].…”

Section: Biologicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Mental Health Burden and Social Determinants of Mental Health Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa

Perestrelo,

Jumaa,

Sanyang

2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are an important sub-population in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where youth account for more than two-thirds of the region’s population. In comparison to their male counterparts, AGYW are at a higher risk of mental health burden. This review aims to review the peer-reviewed evidence on the mental health burden and social determinants of mental health amongst AGYW aged 10- 24 years in the sub-Saharan African context. Methods: Electronic databases including CINAHL, PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar were searched to identify peer-reviewed studies focusing on mental health in adolescent girls and young women in the identified context that have been published between 2015 and 2023 in English. Results and Discussion: A total of 39 studies were reviewed. The findings from the review show that the literature on mental health in AGYW identifies several biological, demographic, social, economic, neighbourhood and environmental factors affecting the burden of the issue. Within the context of environmental factors such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the more recent COVID-19 pandemic, social determinants of mental health that are unique to or disproportionately affect AGYW such as pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and violence present concerning associations to negative mental health outcomes in different rural and urban settings. Conclusions: The findings of the review shed light on the multifaceted nature of mental health issues and stresses the importance of a targeted approach in addressing mental health in adolescent girls and young women in the region. Recommendations include increased attention towards scaling up mental health research capacity and policy implementation and a focus on community-based interventions addressing factors unique to the target population in resource-poor settings.

show abstract

Psychosocial Experiences of Adolescent Girls and Young Women Subsequent to an Abortion in Sub-saharan Africa and Globally: A Systematic Review

Cited by 15 publications

References 69 publications

Phenomenology of Induced Abortion in Northern Uganda Among HIV-Positive Women Following an Unintended Pregnancy

Phenomenology of Induced Abortion in Northern Uganda Among HIV-Positive Women Following an Unintended Pregnancy

Adaptations to comprehensive abortion care during the COVID-19 pandemic: case studies of provision in Bolivia, Mali, Nepal, and the occupied Palestinian territory

A Review of Mental Health Burden and Social Determinants of Mental Health Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About