“Sometimes they used to whisper in our ears”: health care workers’ perceptions of the effects of abortion legalization in Nepal

摘要: Unsafe abortion has been a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Nepal. Since legalization 2002, more than 1,200 providers have trained 487 sites certified for the provision safe services. Little is known about health care workers’ views on legalization, such as their perceptions women seeking implications abortion-related care. To complement quantitative study effects Nepal, we conducted 35 in-depth interviews with physicians, nurses, counsellors hospital administrators involved post-abortion complication treatment services at four major government hospitals. Thematic analysis techniques were used to analyze data. Overall, participants had positive – many believed severity complications declined, contributing lower country. A number indicated that proportion obtaining from approved facilities was increasing; however, others noted an increase using unregulated medicines abortion, rising complications. Some held negative judgments patients, including reasons abortion. Unmarried subject especially strong perceptions. few workers felt law change encouraging unmarried sexual activity carelessness around pregnancy prevention repeat becoming problem. Many although patients less fearful before they remained hesitant disclose history induced fear judgment or mistreatment. Providers generally country women. focus family planning counselling may be welcomed by concerned multiple abortions. could tempered through values-clarification training, so are supported comfortable sharing history, improving quality