Post-abortion care services in Zambian health facilities: a qualitative study of users' experiences and perceptions.

Autor: Lubeya MK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, P/B RW1X, Nationalist Road, Lusaka, Zambia.; Women and Newborn Hospital, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka, Zambia.; Young Emerging Scientists Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; School of Public Health, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa., Munakampe MN; Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Nationalist Road, Lusaka, Zambia. margarate.munakampe@unza.zm., Mwila M; Young Emerging Scientists Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia., Makasa M; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, P/B RW1X, Nationalist Road, Lusaka, Zambia.; Women and Newborn Hospital, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka, Zambia., Mukosha M; School of Public Health, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.; Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia., Jacobs C; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia., Phiri CC; Young Emerging Scientists Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia., Vwalika B; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, P/B RW1X, Nationalist Road, Lusaka, Zambia.; Women and Newborn Hospital, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka, Zambia.; Young Emerging Scientists Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia., Sichone V; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kitwe Teaching Hospital, Kitwe, Zambia.; Zambia Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, Lusaka, Zambia., Mangala B; Zambia Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, Lusaka, Zambia., Haketa MM; Young Emerging Scientists Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia., Kumwenda A; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, P/B RW1X, Nationalist Road, Lusaka, Zambia.; Women and Newborn Hospital, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka, Zambia.; Young Emerging Scientists Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; School of Public Health, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa., Kaonga P; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Bioethics, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: BMC women's health [BMC Womens Health] 2024 Jul 23; Vol. 24 (1), pp. 414. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jul 23.
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03179-9
Abstrakt: Background: Despite attempts to increase Universal Health Coverage, availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality-related challenges remain barriers to receiving essential services by women who need them. We aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of women receiving post-abortal care services in Zambia, within a human-rights framework.
Methods: A qualitative case study was conducted between August and September 2021 in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces of Zambia. Fifteen (15) women seeking post-abortion care services were` interviewed using audio recorders; transcribed data was analyzed using thematic analysis. We report women's experiences and perceptions of the healthcare system, their experiences of abortion, and healthcare-seeking behaviour. We used the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality (AAAQ) framework to understand how women claimed their right to healthcare as they sought and utilized post-abortion care services.
Results: Women who experienced spontaneous abortions delayed seeking health care by viewing symptoms as 'normal pregnancy symptoms' and not dangerous. Women also delayed seeking care because they feared the negative attitudes from their communities and the health care providers towards abortion in general, despite it being legal in Zambia. Some services were considered costly, impeding their right to access quality care.
Conclusions: Women delayed seeking care compounded by fear of negative attitudes from the community and healthcare providers. To ensure the provision and utilization of quality all abortion-related healthcare services, there is a need to increase awareness of the availability and legality of safe abortion services, the importance of seeking healthcare early for any abortion-related discomfort, and the provision and availability of free services at all levels of care should be emphasized.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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