Perceptions of unwanted pregnancy, emergency contraception and abortion: a qualitative study of healthcare providers and community leaders in the Amazon Region of Colombia 公开

Rao, Shreya (2011)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/wm117p44s?locale=zh
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Abstract


Background: Colombia's 2006 decision to liberalize its abortion policy has made it
one of the most progressive policies in the region to reduce the practice of unsafe
abortion. In the capital city of the Amazon region, a local physician and founder of La
Fundación Clínica Leticia identified adolescent pregnancies and unsafe abortions as
a priority health concern in the community. No research has been done in this
community to examine experiences of unwanted pregnancy and abortion.
Objective: Investigators sought to elucidate issues underlying unwanted
pregnancies and propose solutions for Clínica Leticia. During the summer of 2010,
we examined healthcare provider and community leader perceptions of unwanted
pregnancies, emergency contraception (EC) and abortions through a qualitative
research approach.
Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 33 healthcare providers and
community leaders. Interviews were conducted in Spanish, transcribed verbatim
and coded using MAXQDA10 software.
Results: Providers and leaders reported adolescence, poverty, poor education,
inadequate access to contraception and local culture as determinants of what they
called 'irresponsible sexual practices' that lead to unwanted pregnancy and
abortion. Decision-making for managing an unwanted pregnancy was influenced by
families and partners, financial considerations, young age and cultural or religious
disapproval of abortion. Respondents commonly opposed abortion and its
legalization on moral grounds, while they objected to EC based on fears of
complications from long-term use. Their perceptions of irresponsible sexual
behaviors led them to oppose EC and abortion.
Discussion: Participants identified adolescents as a high-risk group for unwanted
pregnancies and unsafe abortions and suggested a need for sex education targeted
to this group. Many reported that existing efforts lack consistency and should be
adapted to address challenges adolescents face in accessing contraception.
Respondents suggested barriers to preventing unwanted pregnancies might be
reduced by increasing dialogue about sex and contraception and with efforts to
promote education and employment opportunities for adolescents. Increasing
awareness of current abortion laws and judicial decisions among providers and
women may facilitate improved acceptance of legal abortions in the region while
increased education about the safety and efficacy of EC products may address local
barriers to the provision of EC.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction 3

Chapter 2. Literature Review 5

2.1 Abortion and Emergency Contraception 5

2.1.1 Abortion in Colombia 7

2.1.2 Emergency Contraception 12

2.1.3 Areas for Future Research 14

2.2 Background on Colombia and Las Amazonas 17

2.2.1 General Demographic Information 17

2.2.2 Politics 19

2.2.3 Religion 20

2.2.4 The Amazon Region 21

Chapter 3. Manuscript 22

3.0 Abstract 24

3.1 Introduction 25

3.2 Methods 26

3.3 Results 34

3.3.1 Table 1. Summary of participant demographic characteristics in the Amazon region of Colombia, 2010 35

3.3.2 Figure 1. Provider and community leader perceptions of the causes, decision-making and acceptability of unwanted pregnancy and abortion among adolescents in the Amazon region of Colombia, 2010 37

3.3.3 Causes and Social Determinants of Unwanted Pregnancy 38

3.3.3.1 Figure 2. Provider and leader perceptions of "irresponsibility" as it applies to sexual behaviors in the Amazon region of Colombia, 2010 39

3.3.4 Decision-making for Women Experiencing an Unwanted Pregnancy 43

3.3.5 Cultural Acceptability of Abortion 52

3.4 Discussion 61

Chapter 4. Conclusions and Policy Recommendations 67

References 70

Appendix A. Informed Consent 73

English 73 Spanish 75

Appendix B. In-Depth Interview Guide 77

English 77

Spanish 82

Appendix C. Participant Line Listing: Demographic Information 88

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