Abortion is a crucial topic in women’s health, and learning more about people’s beliefs and practices related to abortion can help to address many issues. In countries where abortion is illegal, unsafe abortions and their consequences pose a significant public health concern. In such contexts, abortion is also tied to women’s rights violations. The article by Plummer et al. focuses on the beliefs and practices of young people related to aborting and suspending pregnancy. The findings have important implications for care providers and policymakers in Tanzania and other countries with legal restrictions on abortion.
The authors explain the need for studying perceptions and activities related to abortion based on public health concerns. According to Plummer et al. (2008, 281), the legal ban on induced abortion does not deter women from attempting to terminate pregnancy, resulting in a high incidence of unsafe abortions. Unsafe abortions, in turn, can lead to minor and major health consequences, thus impacting women’s health. Studying abortion in the context of cultural, social, and economic factors is necessary to understand common views and practices related to induced abortions.
The research took place in nine Tanzanian villages, and the data collection period took place from 1999 to 2002. The authors followed the principles of ethnographic research to observe participants in their cultural environment. The observations were conducted by six young East Africans, who visited the villages alone or in pairs (Plummer et al. 2008, 282). In addition, the researchers conducted semi-structured group discussions and in-depth interviews with male and female groups. Subjects for interviews were chosen from group discussion participants (Plummer et al. 2008, 283). Observations, group discussions, and interviews were recorded in writing and on tape, respectively.
The results highlighted some crucial topics in young people’s attitudes and practices with regard to sex and abortions. The authors noted the early start of sexual activity, negative financial and social repercussions of premarital pregnancy, and the desire to conceal sexual relationships from others (Plummer et al. 2008, 283). For the majority of women, traditional charms and herbs constituted pregnancy prevention, with a small proportion of women using contemporary methods (Plummer et al. 2008, 283).
The majority of young pregnant women carried their pregnancy to term, but some attempted to induce abortion using any methods available. Methods used to induce abortion included ingesting laundry detergent, ashes, herbs, and chloroquine (Plummer et al. 2008, 284). The overall attitudes to abortion were negative, and women who succeeded in aborting pregnancy faced opposition from their partners, social ostracism, and quasi-legal sanctions (Plummer et al. 2008, 286). The practice of suspending pregnancy using traditional medicines to stop fetus development. On the whole, the results provided insights into the context of induced abortions in Tanzanian villages.
The study has important implications for scholars, care providers, and policymakers. First, it showed that the legal ban on abortion causes women to use dangerous methods to induce abortion. These methods could have potential repercussions for women’s health and fertility, thus impacting public health. Secondly, it highlighted the topic of social opposition and ostracism faced by women who seek abortions. Since women who induce abortions are usually desperate to end pregnancy because of socioeconomic concerns, negative perceptions about abortion cause difficulties in their future life. Thirdly, the study highlighted the importance of health literacy in addressing illegal abortion and young people’s sexual activity in general.
Promoting the use of reliable methods of pregnancy prevention could help in preventing abortions among young women, thus improving their socioeconomic and health outcomes. The information gathered from the study can help to develop plans and programs aiming to enhance women’s health through sex education, health literacy promotion, and increased access to high-quality medical care.
Bibliography
Plummer, Mary L., Joyce Wamoyi, Kija Nyalali, Gerry Mshana, Zachayo S. Shigongo, David A. Ross, and Daniel Wight. 2008. “Aborting and Suspending Pregnancy in Rural Tanzania: An Ethnography of Young People’s Beliefs and Practices.” Studies in Family Planning 39, no. 4: 281-292. JSTOR.