Why do women opt for backstreet abortions?: a sociological study

M.A.In 1996, the South African Government implemented the Choice on Termination (CTOP) Act to curb maternal mortality. This study emerged after an observation by experts in the field that there were a growing number of women who were admitted in antenatal care units with incomplete abortions, commonly known as miscarriage. These experts observed that some of these women, on closer observation, had signs of either scared wombs or had foreign objects in their uteri. This was understandable in provinces where there were fewer health facilities offering TOP serves. In Gauteng, however, it was not understandable because this province has the most designated facilities in the country. It was, therefore, necessary to investigate why women had unwanted pregnancies and, more so, why they opted for back-street abortion services instead of accessing the many available legal services. It was discovered that most of these women had low socio-economic status, did not use contraceptives and did not know about the CTOP Act. The few who did know about the Act, did not use the legal abortion options because of the fear of being judged by health care workers. In addition, some of these women were turned away from health facilities because the list of women waiting for these services, was too long. Involved in assisting these women to terminate their pregnancies illegally were mothers, sisters, boyfriends/partners, traditional healers, pharmacists, nurses and doctors. It is suggested that intense education on the CTOP Act should be rolled out to the whole community; contraceptive services should be improved; health education with the emphasis on reproductive health and services should be expanded to private doctors and midwives.Dr. Ria Smit Prof. J.M. Uy