Navigating abortion dilemmas: Attitudes and practices among Ethiopian health care professionals

Résumé

Abstract Background: Ethiopia’s 2005 abortion law improved access to legal abortion. In this study we examine the experiences of abortion providers with the revised abortion law, including how they view and resolve perceived moral challenges.Methods: Thirty healthcare professionals involved in abortion provision in Addis Ababa were interviewed. Transcripts were analyzed using systematic text condensation, a qualitative analysis framework.Results: Most participants considered the 2005 abortion law a clear improvement – yet it does not solve all problems and has led to new dilemmas. As a main finding, the law appears to have opened a large space for professionals’ individual interpretation and discretion concerning whether criteria for abortion are met.Regarding abortion for fetal abnormalities, participants support the woman’s authority in deciding whether to choose abortion, and although several saw these decisions as moral dilemmas, all thought that abortion was a justified choice when a diagnosis of fetal abnormality had been made.Conclusion: To make practice more predictable and uniform, more detailed official guidance on the law and how it should be interpreted is warranted.

Citer ce document

Accès au document

Ce document est hébergé sur son dépôt institutionnel d'origine.

Auteur(s)

Statistiques

Consultations : 1

Téléchargements : 0