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Research Title

Family Planning Association of Malawi Private Bag B424 Capital City LILONGWE 3 Tel: 01773915 email: fpam@fpamalawi.org . Magnitude, Views and Perceptions of People on Abortion and Post Abortion Care Services In Four Malawian Districts. Research Title.

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Research Title

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  1. Family Planning Association of MalawiPrivate Bag B424Capital CityLILONGWE 3Tel: 01773915 email: fpam@fpamalawi.org Magnitude, Views and Perceptions of People on Abortion and Post Abortion Care Services In Four Malawian Districts

  2. Research Title • Magnitude, Views and Perceptions of People on Abortion and Post Abortion Care Services In Four Malawian Districts Purpose • To generate useful data on abortion and abortion related issues that will assist FPAM`s programmes

  3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY • Determining the magnitude of abortion related cases in the four districts. • Examining the conditions and reasons under which women seek abortion • Establishing community perceptions on abortion and abortion related issues

  4. Approach and Methodology • Used quantitative • A structured questionnaire • A checklist. • Qualitative methods • Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) • Key Informant (KI) Interviews

  5. Quantitative method • The questionnaire mainly assessed the following areas • types of abortions commonly seen in the health facilities • Characteristics of the women seeking abortion • severity of the complications resulting from unsafe abortions

  6. Qualitative method • Areas of focus • Assessment of knowledge level of the participants on abortion • Common reasons for terminating pregnancy • Methods commonly used to terminate pregnancy • Common places where women would seek help for abortion. • Issues of policy and community’s perception on abortion and PAC

  7. Qualitative method conti. • Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) • A total of 16 FGDs were done • Composition of the groups • Males and females aged10 to 24 • Each FGDs took approximately 45 min to 1 hour.

  8. Qualitative method conti. • Key Informant (KI) Interviews • A total of 18 KII were done • People involved • Community leaders (chiefs), • Religious leaders, • Health workers, • Traditional healers • Traditional birth attendants.

  9. Results / Findings Magnitude • Abortion cases are highest among the single women, the 15-19 age group, and the school going girls and accounts for 16%-40% of the admissions in gynecology ward in public hospitals. • Most mothers play a part in procuring their daughters abortions. • Communities have varying knowledge of abortion and the availability of PAC services in their areas.

  10. Reasons for seeking Abortion • Most common reasons for seeking abortion include: • Poverty • Being forced by parents, relatives, husbands and boyfriends. • Fear of being asked to drop out of school • Forced by peers • Fear of losing sexual relationship • Fear of being excommunicated from the church

  11. Complications • Most abortions are induced and are usually unsafe • This leads to complications such as: • Haemorrhage, infections, death, infertility, anemia, perforation or removal of the uterus, and loss of sexual relationships

  12. Methods used to abort • Most common methods used for abortion are very unsafe and include the following: • Overdose of drugs such as quinine, drinking powdered soaps and herbs from traditional doctors.

  13. Perception of participants towards legalizing Abortion • Most respondents would not advocate for a law that would legalize abortion in Malawi. • Community Leaders- Abortion is illegal and cannot be done in the open but privately • Church leaders - regards abortion as a sin • Health workers – though abortion is unacceptable in the community, Adolescents are losing a lot of lives due to abortion • Traditional healers Abortion is a sin therefore it should not be done.

  14. Challenges faced during data collection • Data was not readily available in most of the health facilities / institutions. • In some health facilities / institutions respondents were not willing to share the information

  15. RECOMMENDATIONS • Increased access to information and contraceptive services for young people • All health care facilities should have the capacity to provide adequate information to young people on sexuality and SRH. • Ensuring quality of care • Adolescents seeking post abortion care or presenting with complications of abortion at a health facility should always be considered as a medical emergency • Liberalization of the abortion law

  16. Conclusion • The Need for stake holders to engage into discussion and meaningful dialogue in addressing the problem of abortion in Malawi • The need to use appropriate approach for advocating for legalizing abortion in the country • This research will spur more thought on the best ways to improve the provision of comprehensive abortion care services in the health care facilities in the country

  17. The end Thank You.

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