Young women in developing countries face a disproportionate risk of unwanted pregnancy, often beyond their control, due to factors like sexual violence, lack of sex education, and lack of power to negotiate with sex partners. Institutionally, lack of access to family planning and abortion services further reduces a woman’s control over her reproductive life. This paper reports on a study of adolescents seeking post-abortion care (PAC) at two clinics in Brazil. Thirty consenting adolescents participated in group discussions or individual interviews regarding their abortion experiences, as well as their knowledge of various reproductive health (RH) topics. Most adolescents had poor knowledge of their fertile cycle and of contraception. All sought services due to post-abortion vaginal bleeding, although not all reported provoking the abortion. The group discussions revealed that adolescents would like their care to be private and confidential. The adolescents expressed a desire for services that acknowledged their young age, difficult situation, and relative “fragility”. Twenty health professionals from these clinics were also interviewed about their views towards adolescents and how delivery of RH clinic services for adolescents should be structured. There was a high degree of correspondence between the views of the teens and the providers. However, providers did not see the need to specifically target services to teens. Differences in the definitions of adolescence used by providers and teens may be key to improving care among this population.
Learning Objectives: List factors contributing to adolescent post-abortion care. Describe differences between adolescent and provider viewpoints. Suggest ways to improve adolescent PAC
Keywords: Abortion, Adolescent Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Ipas, Incorporated
Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand
Hospital Cesar Cals
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.