Publication:

The hidden crisis: unsafe abortion and the fight for women’s health

Background In addition to having theological, moral, cultural, and political implications, abortion is a sensitive and divisive topic that also raises public health issues. Between 4.7 percent and 13.2 percent of maternal deaths each year are caused by unsafe abortion. Every year, unsafe abortions result in the hospitalization of more than 7 million women in impoverished countries.

Methods The structural violence repertoire was used as a theoretical lens, the women were assisted in in-depth interviews to reflect and narrate the perceptions around abortion, and the qualitative approach was adopted for developing the narratives through oral history.

Results According to studies, women frequently engage in risky abortion procedures and employ the same inexperienced personnel and traditional techniques that pose health risks. The findings also showed that the rate of induced abortion is rising, and it remains a mystery as to why women choose to have their abortions outside of hospitals and expose themselves to a variety of hazards.

Conclusions Therefore, it is important to understand the extent of structural violence related to unsafe abortions and to implement a program to raise knowledge of health services.