The Prevalence and Contributing Factors of Grief in Women Experiencing Abortion in Selected Public Hospitals
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Date
2025-06-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Grief, a common emotional response to loss, is linked to negative psychological
effects, and higher gestational age and decisional conflict can lead to greater pain after termination.
This study aimed to address several critical gaps in current research. There is limited
understanding of the emotional impact of abortion, particularly grief, which remains
underexplored in existing literature.
Objective: To assess the prevalence and contributing factors of grief in women experiencing
abortion in selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2025.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the prevalence and contributing
factors of grief in women experiencing abortion. A total sample size of 422 participants was
selected through a simple random sampling method from public hospitals in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia. Data collection occurred from January to March 2025. Face-to-face interviews were
conducted, and data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, applying bi-variable and
multivariable binary logistic regression to identify contributing factors associated with grief.
Result: The PGS-33 was used to assess grief severity, with a significant proportion scoring above
the clinical cutoff. The study found a significant difference in grief scores across educational status
groups. Lower support was associated with higher grief severity. Pregnancy-related factors also
contributed to grief symptoms.
Conclusion: The study reveals that 76% of the participants experience severe grief, with
sociodemographic factors contributing to higher levels. Support systems can reduce grief severity.
Recommendation: Healthcare providers should screen for grief symptoms, provide
psychological support, and provide clear referrals to specialized services. Community-level
informational materials and collaboration with religious leaders can manage grief. National
guidelines should integrate grief training.
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Keywords
Grief, Abortion, Women’s health, Reproductive health