Introduction: Despite the availability of contraceptives, some women still seek an induced abortion. If these women are known, they can be targeted for intensive contraceptive counseling. An accessible termination of pregnancy health facility can also be provided to those who still wish to have an abortion. Aim: To determine the characteristics of women having first trimester induced termination of pregnancy in Newcastle Provincial Hospital in Amajuba district. Methods: Quantitative retrospective chart review. Seven hundred and fifty eight women had an induced first trimester abortion between 1st January and 31st December 2008 at Newcastle Provincial Hospital. The medical records of 254 were systematically sampled and the data obtained from these medical records were analyzed descriptively. Results: Most women (75%) were aged between 20 and 34 years. The commonest age was 23 years while the mean age was 25.27 years. Two percent were less than 16 years of age. Ninety seven percent of the sample were of African race, 75.6% reported having at least one child alive, 93.3% were single, 70.1% of the women reside in Newcastle sub-district while 19.7% reside outside Amajuba district. Eighty nine percent of the women were not using any contraception before the pregnancy that was terminated. Four (1.6%) women had previously had a termination of pregnancy. Fifty eight percent of the women requested abortion between 9 and 12 weeks of gestation (commonest gestational age was 8 weeks). Seventy four percent of the women were self-referred. Ninety six percent of the women reported having an abortion because of socio-econornic reasons. Only 69.7% disclosed their intention to procure abortion to a second person. Every woman was counseled before her pregnancy was terminated. Conclusions: In our patient population, women who are more likely to have an induced first trimester abortion are: in their twenties; African; single; parous; sexually active and not using any contraceptive; residing in Newcastle sub-district and of poor socioeconomic status. These groups of women should be targeted for intensive contraceptive counseling. The proportion of women who are less than 16 years of age shows that statutory rape is still a challenge in South Africa and deserves more attention. Further study is needed to establish if the location of Newcastle Provincial Hospital is denying women living in other sub-districts in Amajuba (apart from Newcastle sub-district) the opportunity to procure an induced abortion. Such a study will thus guide the place where future termination of pregnancy services may be established in Amajuba. / Thesis (M.Med.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Abortion remains one of the most controversial sexual health topics and yet is a common experience for women around the world. Making sure that women are practicing safe abortions is integral to women’s sexual and reproductive health as well as their sexual rights. South Africa has one of the most progressive and liberal abortion laws in the world, yet women still face major barriers in accessing these services. Introducing medical abortion as another termination of pregnancy option could potentially save women’s lives, while reducing the number of unsafe abortions in South Africa. Medical abortion also contributes to fulfilling women’s sexual and reproductive rights, providing more choices to best suit their needs. In 2001, the South African Medicines Control Council (MCC) approved the use of mifepristone in conjunction with misoprostol for termination of pregnancy. Currently there is no formal national policy that allows for the provision of medical abortion in public health facilities, and the Department of Health is considering introducing it into the public sector. In order for any public health intervention to be successful it must be acceptable to potential clients and the context in which it is being implemented must be assessed. This study first looks at women’s attitudes toward abortion; following Eaton’s model of sexual behavior it examines the personal, proximal, and distal environments that influence reproductive decision-making, specifically regarding abortion. With this background information, the study then aims to assess women’s knowledge of medical abortion and whether or not they find it to be an acceptable method for the South African public health system and South African women. The findings suggest that there is a demand for medical abortion among this sample of women. The majority of women find medical abortion to be an acceptable method, and would choose it if they were ever faced with having to terminate a pregnancy. The overwhelming majority of women felt that medical abortion should be introduced into the public sector and efforts should be made to ensure that this method is affordable, accessible, and available for women in South Africa in order to expand their sexual and reproductive health rights. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

The number of women accessing Termination of Pregnancy Services has increased in South Africa over the last 15 years. Lieberman and Davis (1992), hold that a woman’s right to choose is embedded in the principles of social work that is self-determination, empowerment and dignity. It is a social workers responsibility to ensure that the options are available to the clients. If a client is unable to choose from an array of alternatives it is because social workers have failed to provide them with the necessary information, therefore there can be no self-determination. Women who receive health care from public facilities usually cannot afford health care from a private physician and the ability of women to make informed decisions is based on the degree of information that is made available to them. In this study the researcher looks at the road travelled in order to make the decision to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. The process of data collection was a comprehensive, intensive process. Underpinned by the ecosystems theory, the qualitative exploratory research design was used for this research.Data was obtained through interviews from a purposeful sample of sixteen young women that attended the TOP (Termination of Pregnancy) Clinic at the research site, ranging from the ages of 18 to 35 years. This approach allowed the researcher to understand the processes and persons involved in making this decision. The assumption underlying this study was that the decision to terminate a pregnancy is a difficult one and often made with little or no support, education or guidance. The outcome of this study confirmed this assumption. The findings revealed that young woman accessing TOP services often choose TOP in isolation with limited knowledge and support from significant others. Some women requesting TOP may not want counselling but do need it. The need for counselling is stronger for those with strong religious beliefs and those that have little or no support systems. Based on the outcome of the analysis, recommendations were made with regard to the need for holistic counselling to be an integral component in health services rendered to women, with unintended pregnancies. Counseling whilst optional should be made compulsory such that a person can cope with the physical and psychological effects of an unwanted pregnancy should they decide to terminate or keep the pregnancy. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.