Is pregnancy termination being used as a family planning method in the Free State?

Abstract

Background: This study determined the profile of women seeking termination of pregnancy (TOP) in the Free State and whether TOP was used as a family planning method.Methods: Seven hundred and fifty women (15-47 years old) seeking TOP at the Reproductive Health Unit of the National Hospital in Bloemfontein were included in this cross-sectional study. The women who gave verbal consent completed a questionnaire during counselling. Results:The median age of the participants was 24 years and 77.3% were single. Most participants (73.3%) were not using any family planning method at the time of the study. One-fifth (19.1%) had previously had at least one TOP, while for 80.9% of the participants it was their first visit. Some participants (16.6%) considered TOP a family planning method, 39.7% were unsure and 43.7% indicated that TOP is not a family planning method. Thirty-nine women failed to answer this question. When asked the reason for TOP, 3.5% chose the option "contraceptive method". Conclusions:The relatively high percentage of participants who consider TOP a contraceptive method or are unsure, associated with the fact that most were young, single, not using contraception and had applied for induced abortion just because the conception represented an unwanted pregnancy, implies that some of our population is not aware that termination of pregnancy is not a family planning method.

Contraceptive practices among women seeking termination of pregnancy in one public hospital in Eastern Cape, South Africa

“…Several studies have reported similar race distribution when it comes to TOP, where black people remained the majority race seeking TOP compared to other races in most parts of South Africa. 10 , 12 , 13 Of interest, this study found that most women between 20 and 29 years requested TOP more than any other age groups. At this age, it is assumed that women understand the risks of engaging in unprotected sexual activity or without contraceptive use, compared with adolescents.…”

An audit of surgical termination of pregnancy at a level 1 health facility in South Africa

“…Similar findings have been reported locally. 7 These figures are high when compared to an earlier study conducted in Peru, where 22% (91/410) of the pregnancies was unwanted. 10 The requests for TOP in our study were influenced by financial problems, being too young, being a student, positive HIV status and insecure relationships.…”

“…Lang et al reported that more than half of the participants in their study indicated that nobody had influenced their decision to undergo TOP but the partners represented the strongest influence (23.2%), followed by the parents (11.5%). 7 A USA study reported that women were more likely to confide in their female friends about their pregnancy and decision about TOP than family members or partners. 13 In our study, despite positive attitudes of women towards abortion, 394 (61%) of the women were against having an abortion but were forced to undergo termination because of circumstances beyond their control.…”

“…6 In another study, 138 (19.1%) of the 721 women requesting TOP had at least one prior TOP, while 583 (80.1%) of the women stated it was their first visit; 547 (73.3%) women were not using any family planning at the time of request for TOP. 7 Despite the obstacles to TOP, the authors' impression is that the number of requests for legal TOP in the public sector has increased particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and a number of women may be having repeated legal miscarriages thus raising the spectre of TOP as a form of contraception. In addition, little is known about the views and attitudes of women who have undergone TOP and the quality of Abstract Background: It was alleged that the termination of pregnancy (TOP) services in a certain district health facility were forgoing the opportunity to offer screening tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis for women seeking legal medical abortions.…”

An exploration of the reasons women give for choosing legal termination of pregnancy at Soshanguve Community Health Centre, Pretoria, South Africa

“…5 In the Free State, 73% of respondents did not use any contraception, and the methods that were most commonly used were the male condom, oral contraceptives and injectables. 19 In a Cape Town study, inconsistent contraceptive use, no contraception and contraceptive failure contributed to a large number of unwanted pregnancies. Problems associated with male condom use was described as a major source of contraceptive failure.…”