Azeri Women’s Experiences of Induced Abortion: A Qualitative Research

Introduction: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (۲۰۰۹) reported that since women’s experiences of induced abortion are poorly known, examining the effectiveness of current policies and planning for the future are difficult. Due to illegality of induced abortion in Iran and the significant knowledge gap in this area, the present study was designed. Method: The data were collected through ۲۳ semi-structured in-depth interviews from May to September ۲۰۱۳ in Tabriz, Iran, and analyzed using descriptive-interpretive approach of content analysis. The participants were ۱۵ women who had recently undergone an induced abortion (during the past year). All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was conducted simultaneously to data collection and using MAXQDA ۲۰۰۷. Results: Findings fell into three main themes: individual reflections, gaining social support, and postabortion conflicts. This means that the study participants, when facing an unplanned pregnancy, showed negative reactions and had some concerns. Then, they begin to gain social support for having an abortion. Due to the incompatibleness of abortion with religious beliefs and values, post-abortion conflict was a common experience. Conclusion: Unplanned pregnancy for women begins with initial negative reactions and leads to postabortion conflicts. These findings highlight the importance of psychological support of women with unplanned pregnancies, prevention of unwanted pregnancy occurrence, and designing secondary prevention programs.

Keywords:

Unwanted pregnancy , abortion , Women’s experience , qualitative research