Women’s Stories of Abortion in Southern Gabon, Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons women in rural, southern Gabon, Africa, chose to terminate their pregnancies, the methods used to induce abortions, and postabortion effects experienced by these women. Abortion is illegal in this country. A descriptive qualitative design guided the methodology for this study. Five women with a history of induced abortion were interviewed in-depth for their abortion story. Reasons cited for an abortion included lack of financial and partner support. Abortion methods included oral, rectal, and vaginal concoctions of leaves, bark, and water and over-the-counter medications, including misoprostol. Affects were physical, spiritual, and relational. Health care professionals need to provide women with guidance for appropriate contraceptive usage. Abortion after-care of women with physical and spiritual needs is important. Future research is suggested on the use of misoprostol in Gabon to understand its affects on women's reproductive health.

A critical review of sanctioned knowledge production concerning abortion in Africa: Implications for feminist health psychology

“…Plummer et al (2008) found in Tanzania that women who underwent unsafe abortion felt physical pain and discomfort, as well as social ostracism, but not regret. Hess (2007), 18 however, indicates that of the five women interviewed in her study in Gabon, four experienced regret, guilt and remorse. Boulind and Edwards (2008) are the only authors who deploy the controversial term PAS in their report of a psychotherapy case study conducted in South Africa in which it emerged during the course of the therapy that the client had undergone an abortion (under safe conditions).…”

Nursing Care For Women In Situation Of Unsafe Abortion

“…Other studies about the review have listed as reasons that led to abortion rejection by pregnancy, lack of support from the partner, fear of parents and low financial income [12,15,16,17,18]. About this research, a survey exposed and discussed that abortion was being performed by women with high family income, which facilitated the occurrence because they had the resources to perform the practice.…”

The Assessment and Treatment of Post-Abortion Syndrome: A Systematic Case Study From Southern Africa

“…A study of five women who had had abortions in Gabon, where abortion is illegal, found that although one did not regret it, the others felt guilt, remorse or both. In two cases the male partner was angry when he learned about it (Hess, 2007). In a qualitative study of 5 black South African women who had had illegal abortions all experienced relief, but this was followed by feelings of guilt, shame, regret and grief (Suffla, 1997).…”