Exploring Women’s Socio-Emotional Experiences of Induced Abortion in Marie Stopes Ethiopia
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Date
2015-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study had the objective of exploring the women’s socio-emotional experiences of induced
abortion focusing on a case study. In depth interview was used to collect valuable data on
circumstances of women for seeking abortion, pre and post emotional experiences, pre and post
emotion management mechanisms, and impacts of abortion on their close relationships. A
sample of 15 clients were selected from Gotera Branch Marie Stopes Clinic using non-
probability purposive sampling technique and content analysis was used to analyze the
emotional reactions of women before and after abortion. The study found that participants were
experienced a feeling of distress, disturbed sleep, sadness, guilty, shame, discomfort and fatigue
for being in dilemma to terminate the pregnancy or having a baby before abortion. These women
also experienced fear, sadness about their baby, remorse, guilt, distress, fatigue, tiredness,
shame, and disturbed sleep during and after the abortion procedure. On the other hand some of
the women who perceive abortion as a family planning method felt relief after the abortion
procedure. Reappraisal of the abortion decision, suppression of emotion expressive behaviors,
avoidance of emotionally provocative situations and prayer were the common strategies of the
women to cope with the experiences of abortion. Most women’s relationships with their partner,
family or close friends were negatively affected after abortion. In summary, most of the women
emotionally reacted negatively and experienced the feeling of disconnection with the people they
value after the abortion procedure
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Ethiopia