‘Better taking the risk than a lifetime punishment of early forced marriage’: Young people’s perceptions and experiences towards voluntary termination of pregnancy in northern Mozambique
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Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to explore young people’s perceptions and experiences on access to voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) in northern Mozambique.
Methods
A qualitative study of twelve focus group discussions was conducted from June to September 2021 in Nampula province, northern Mozambique. A total of 94 purposively selected 15–24-year-old males and females participated in the study. Data was inductively coded and reflexive thematic analysis inspired by Braun and Clarke was applied. Socio-Ecological theory was used to frame the discussion.
Results
Despite VTP being decriminalized and by law to be provided free of charge, unsafe abortion remains a common choice among young people towards unintended pregnancy. Barriers to help-seeking access to safe VTP include: 1) fear, 2) sociocultural gendered norms and power dynamics, 3) lack of VTP service provision at nearest health facilities, and 4) unaffordable services where available. Fear associated with early forced marriage, a parental corrective action towards premarital pregnancy coupled with lack of male financial autonomy to afford illicit charges, remain the most important factors preventing young people seeking for help at family and safe VTP services at facility level.
Conclusions
Amidst multiple barriers in accessing health services, unsafe abortion is viewed by young people as a better option than facing a lifetime punishment of early forced marriage, a common parental corrective action towards premarital pregnancy.
期刊介绍：
Accounts of Chemical Research presents short, concise and critical articles offering easy-to-read overviews of basic research and applications in all areas of chemistry and biochemistry. These short reviews focus on research from the author’s own laboratory and are designed to teach the reader about a research project. In addition, Accounts of Chemical Research publishes commentaries that give an informed opinion on a current research problem. Special Issues online are devoted to a single topic of unusual activity and significance.
Accounts of Chemical Research replaces the traditional article abstract with an article "Conspectus." These entries synopsize the research affording the reader a closer look at the content and significance of an article. Through this provision of a more detailed description of the article contents, the Conspectus enhances the article's discoverability by search engines and the exposure for the research.
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