"I know that it's a sin, but I do not have the means": Abortion decision making in Lomé, Togo Open Access

Adams, Emily (Spring 2018)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/br86b361k?locale=en
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Abstract

“I know that it’s a sin, but I do not have the means”:

Abortion decision making in Lomé, Togo

By Emily R. Adams

 

Unsafe induced abortion is a problem in the small West African country of Togo, though the literature lacks reliable and consistent estimates of the magnitude of the problem. Currently, Togolese law allows abortion in only a few limited circumstances including rape, incest, fetal malformation, or if the mother’s health is in danger. Despite its limited legality, evidence suggests that unsafe induced abortion lowers the rate of fertility by as much as 10.8% in Togo. There has been no research on why and how women in Togo choose to have abortions, which is crucial to implementing interventions aimed at reducing the burden of unsafe abortion. Our study aimed to provide an explanatory model of the influences on abortion decision-making among women in Lomé, the urban capital of Togo. We used qualitative research methods comprising 20 in-depth interviews with women and reproductive healthcare providers at four healthcare facilities in Lomé to explore abortion decision-making. Data analyses followed the grounded theory approach. Results showed that there are three spheres of influence on women’s decisions to seek an abortion: access to abortion services, financial resources, and social acceptability. Influences within each of these spheres collectively determine a woman’s decision on abortion. By conceptualizing the main spheres of influence on the decision process, we identify potential points of implementations for interventions aimed at reducing the rate of unsafe induced abortion among women in Lomé, Togo.

 

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Chapter 1: Introduction ……...…………………………………………………………………………………………. 1

 

Chapter 2: Comprehensive Literature Review……....………………………………………………………… 4

 

Chapter 3: Manuscript

           

            Contribution of Student…………………………………………………………………………………… 16

 

Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..17

           

            Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18

 

            Methods …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23

 

            Results ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 31

 

            Discussion ..………………………………………………………………………………………………… 48

 

            References… …………………………………………………………………………………………………54

 

Chapter 4: Conclusions and Public Health Implications ………………………………………………… 56

 

References ……...………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 62

 

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"I know that it's a sin, but I do not have the means": Abortion decision making in Lomé, Togo () 2018-04-23 15:09:58 -0400

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail Title Date Uploaded Actions
Women's Interview Guide (In-depth interview guide used to collect data from women participants (in original French)) 2018-04-23 15:09:53 -0400
/concern/parent/br86b361k/file_sets/v118rd550 () 2018-04-23 15:09:55 -0400