Implementing the Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act, no. 92 of 1996 : the pain and trauma of the abortion experience.
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Date
2000
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Abstract
The research is a descriptive study of the unique and diverse experiences of women who
terminated their pregnancy according to the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, No
92 of 1996. It traced the psycho-social experiences of the participants from the point of
discovery to the actual abortion.
The decision to terminate their pregnancy was not an easy one, yet participants chose this
plan of action on the basis of their socio-economic circumstances. Moral and financial
support was offered to participants from their partners, friends and/or significant others
whilst no therapeutic counselling was provided prior to their making the decision to
terminate their pregnancy, or the actual termination. Pre-abortion counselling was
offered pre-dominantly at private health care institutions whilst none of the health care
facilities provided post abortion counselling. Many of the participants had to not only
endure the emotional pain of their decision but also the judgmental attitudes of the health
care professionals who performed the abortion procedure. Participants were unable to
make informed choices regarding the choice of abortion methods. As a result they were
also unprepared for the intense physical pain they endured during the procedure.
The study used the descriptive research design and a qualitative methodology.
Purposive sampling technique was used to select the thirteen participants. Data were
obtained through the semi-structured interview schedule. The ages of the participants
ranged between 19-31 years.
The study concluded that the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, No 92 of 1996
was necessary but that inadequate resources hampered provision of holistic services. In
addition the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, No 92 of 1996 does not stipulate
that pre and post abortion counselling should be a pre-requisite to access abortion
services. This lack of counselling resulted in participants reliance on the medical
professionals choice of abortion technique which in most cases was not what participants
preferred. This research therefore, advocates the need for medical professionals to
provide adequate information to as well as attending to the psycho-social implications for
women who request to terminate their pregnancy.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.
Keywords
Abortion--Social aspects--South Africa., South Africa (Republic). Choice on termination of pregnancy act, 1996., Theses--Social work.