Thesis ( MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / In the practice of public administration, the law-making process always predominates and therefore, it should be stressed from the onset that law making in general is much more than a decision making. This study therefore locates the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (Act 92 of 1996) as a law articulation that need to be implemented accordingly to realise societal goals. However, with good intentions of such a law, there are challenges regarding implementation thereof within sectors of the society due to the diverse nature of South Africa in both traditions, cultural and religious beliefs. The introduction of the Act in South Africa was received with lot of pessimism and concerns by traditionalists, individuals that are culturally sensitive and religious leaders of various denominations. Such concerns has observably created a conundrum within traditional communities within the selected villages found in the Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality in that termination of pregnancy is regarded as a taboo and immoral, more so within both the traditional and religious circles. Due to those escalating challenges and perceptions, it is deemed necessary that the study of this kind be conducted to inform both the practice and the academia for purpose of advancing knowledge within the field of Public Administration. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of community members of the selected villages of Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality about the Termination of Pregnancy Act (92 of 1996). This was done through the use of primary and secondary data as it aimed to present the quantitative and qualitative explanation and report on the perceptions of the community members of the Act 92 of 1996 in South African municipalities. However, this was chosen because the methods assist in verifying the validity of the data and tend to emphasise that there is a common reality on which people can agree on. Therefore, the findings of the study reveals that community members are aware of the implementation of Act 92 of 1996, they believe that the Act is a human right issue and it provide health and safety of women but nevertheless, they perceive the Act as contradicting their moral right, because they believe that termination of pregnancy is as same as murder. In conclusion, it is recommended that the effective public participation is needed because people are aware of termination of pregnancy but are not well informed of the Act; that the implant contraceptive injection should be a rule, be applied to high schools that every teenage girl must be injected to prevent unwanted pregnancies; girls bellow the age of 18 years should consult their legal guardians before requesting TOP; conditions of parents to those of minors should be different and only pregnancy that resulted from rape must be allowed for termination or however, the Act should just be abolished.

Abortion is one of the issues that elicits relatively controversial debates around the globe. These debates revolve around the pro-life and pro-choice stances, moral and religious issues, backstreet abortion, the role of fathers in decision-making and constitutional issues, among others. Therefore, there is a variety of factors that may influence the way individuals perceive abortion. Race, religious affiliation, and religiosity have been found to play a role in determining the attitudes of individuals towards abortion. For instance, racial and religious differences in abortion attitudes among the South African public are reported (Patel, Ramgoon & Paruk, 2009; Rule, 2004). However, research on attitudes towards abortion demonstrates its complex nature and provides somewhat conflicting evidence. Varga (2002) makes the point that while it is important to understand both male and female perspectives on abortion, very little is known about boys‟ attitudes towards abortion, thus the motivation for this research study. Consequently, the aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of young male learners towards abortion taking into consideration their race, religion and religiosity. Findings indicate that young male learners generally have high religiosity levels and show negative attitudes towards abortion across race and religion. The religious and racial differences in abortion attitudes of male learners were also explored and revealed significant differences amongst the groups, with the Islamic group obtaining the highest levels of abortion opposition for different reasons when compared to Africans and Hindus. In line with past research (Patel & Johns, 2009; Patel & Kooverjee, 2009; Patel & Myeni, 2008), these findings indicate that the higher the religiosity level, the more negative the attitudes towards abortion. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

Improving the quality of abortion care can reduce stigma, increase access, and enhance knowledge about pregnancy prevention and reproductive health. Midwifery-led medication abortion is considered effective, efficient, accessible, person-centred, equitable, and safe in alignment with the World Health Organization’s framework on quality abortion care. As research on client-centred access to healthcare recommends, Ontario’s expanded midwifery care models are improving the ease with which people can find and use sexual and reproductive services most appropriate to their unique needs. The expanded midwifery care presented in this study demonstrates how midwifery-led medication abortion provides high-quality services, decreases stigma, and improves access to safe, acceptable, and client-centred abortion care, particularly for commonly underserved populations deserving of health equity and Reproductive Justice. / The World Health Organization, the International Confederation of Midwives, and the Canadian Association of Midwives advocate for the inclusion of comprehensive abortion care within midwifery practice. International evidence shows positive outcomes in terms of efficacy, safety, acceptability, and post-abortion contraception uptake when midwives provide abortion services. In Canada, midwifery services are available across various populations, including urban, rural, remote, and Northern areas, suggesting a potential to enhance access and quality of abortion care, particularly for underserved people. Expanding the role of Canadian midwives to include comprehensive abortion care could improve accessibility, address gaps in service provision, support community needs, ensure professional sustainability, foster interprofessional collaboration, and offer continuity of care. Since 2017, the Ontario Ministry of Health has funded Expanded Midwifery Care Models to support midwifery integration, interprofessional collaboration, and delivery of midwifery-led sexual and reproductive care that is not funded under the current payment model. This research explores the individual and shared experiences of midwifery-led medication abortion delivered through Expanded Midwifery Care Models across three distinct regions in Ontario. The study employs interpretive description methodology to understand how midwifery influences the experiences of medication abortion for midwives, collaborating healthcare professionals, and clients. The methodology focuses on exploring how integrating a midwifery model of abortion care supports medication abortion services and promotes Reproductive Justice within primary care settings. By gathering insights from multiple perspectives, the findings hope to inform clinical practice, interest policymakers, and identify outcomes valued by midwives, clients, and healthcare professionals for future research on midwifery-led abortion care. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Quality abortion care improves the lives, health, and wellness of reproductive-aged people. Abortion is time-sensitive and people face barriers to this care. Reproductive-aged people benefit from healthcare systems that make abortion simple, safe, and effective. Internationally, midwives play a significant role in abortion care by delivering comprehensive services within sexual and reproductive healthcare. In Canada, however, the potential of midwifery in providing abortion care has not been fully realized. As an exception, Ontario’s Expanded Midwifery Care Models (EMCMs) - innovative sexual and reproductive healthcare delivery programs - have made it possible for midwives to provide abortion services. Midwifery-led abortion care in EMCMs includes providing early abortion care in ways that make it easier for people who find it difficult to access care. This research explores and compares the personal and professional experiences of medication abortion care delivered by midwives across three regions in Ontario.

The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (CTOP Act 92 of 1996) is perhaps the most revolutionary piece of legislation internationally ever to have been promulgated to regulate abortion and as such women’s reproductive lives. Abortion research tends to focus on the experiences of women and thus cast abortion as solely a territory that represents women’s reproductive concerns and the power to choose to procreate. While the CTOP Act safeguards women’s right of choice and a form of determination relating to what happens to their bodies, it also fails to recognise or even make pronouncements about the role that a man plays in the choice to terminate a pregnancy as well as how abortion affects a man’s life. This therefore implies that legally, men do not have a stake to influencing the decision to terminate a pregnancy. This qualitative study was undertaken to explore how young unmarried males whose partners have undergone an abortion construct abortion and the meanings that they attach to the experience of abortion. Interviews were conducted and the data was analysed using discourse analysis. Some of the young men knew about the woman’s decision to have an abortion and others did not know. Common findings include a sense of helplessness due to feeling that the decision is ultimately that of the woman, anger for those who did not know about the decision to abort and a lack of forgiveness towards their partners. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (CTOP Act 92 of 1996) is perhaps the most revolutionary piece of legislation internationally ever to have been promulgated to regulate abortion and as such women’s reproductive lives. Abortion research tends to focus on the experiences of women and thus cast abortion as solely a territory that represents women’s reproductive concerns and the power to choose to procreate. While the CTOP Act safeguards women’s right of choice and a form of determination relating to what happens to their bodies, it also fails to recognise or even make pronouncements about the role that a man plays in the choice to terminate a pregnancy as well as how abortion affects a man’s life. This therefore implies that legally, men do not have a stake to influencing the decision to terminate a pregnancy. This qualitative study was undertaken to explore how young unmarried males whose partners have undergone an abortion construct abortion and the meanings that they attach to the experience of abortion. Interviews were conducted and the data was analysed using discourse analysis. Some of the young men knew about the woman’s decision to have an abortion and others did not know. Common findings include a sense of helplessness due to feeling that the decision is ultimately that of the woman, anger for those who did not know about the decision to abort and a lack of forgiveness towards their partners. / Psychology / M. A. (Clinical Psychology)

Introdução: Constante na história da civilização, o abortamento tem sido tema relevante na saúde pública, trazendo repercussões físicas e emocionais à mulher. Este trabalho abordou aspectos históricos e culturais que delinearam o percurso feminino e a maternidade, contemplou a magnitude do abortamento e aspectos emocionais, em especial, a depressão. Teve como objetivos, analisar características sociodemográficas, a percepção das mulheres quanto às reações e condutas do parceiro e o diagnóstico de depressão, em duas capitais brasileiras, associando as variáveis entre os grupos de abortamento espontâneo e provocado de cada capital. Buscou, em cada grupo, relacionar a depressão com as variáveis estudadas. Método: Foram realizadas entrevistas semidirigidas, com questionário previamente elaborado com 285 mulheres que sofreram abortamento espontâneo (139 em Natal-RN e 146 em São Paulo-SP) e 31 mulheres que referiram tê-lo provocado (11 em Natal-RN e 20 em São Paulo-SP). Para o diagnóstico de depressão, utilizou-se o módulo de humor do Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (Prime-MD). Os dados foram analisados pela Técnica de Análise Temática, posteriormente foi utilizado o programa IBM SPSS Statistics Standard Edition. O nível de significância utilizado foi p<0,05. Resultados: Encontrou-se significância estatística relacionada ao abortamento provocado, em Natal-RN e São Paulo-SP, nas variáveis: ser solteira (p<0,01; p<0,01) e ter menor número de gestações (p<0,01; p=0,04) e de abortamentos espontâneos anteriores (p<0,01; p<0,01). Em Natal-RN evidenciou-se ainda, mulheres com trabalho (p=0,03), renda financeira (p<0,01) e que residiam com familiar (p<0,01) e, em São Paulo-SP, ter provocado abortamento anterior (p=0,01) e residir com amigos (p<0,01). Quanto à percepção das mulheres em relação às reações e condutas do parceiro, em ambas as capitais, ele foi referido como a pessoa que não poderia saber do abortamento (p<0,01 em Natal-RN; p=0,02 em São Paulo-SP), ao mesmo tempo, como aquele que poderia tê-lo evitado (p<0,01 em Natal-RN; p=0,03 em São Paulo-SP). A ausência do parceiro no momento da confirmação da gestação (p=0,02) foi relevante em Natal-RN, e em São Paulo-SP, ele ter apresentado reações negativas frente à notícia da gravidez (p=0,04) e não ter participado no processo do abortamento (p<0,01). Constatou-se elevado índice de depressão em ambas capitais e grupos. Sua presença, no abortamento provocado, não esteve associada às variáveis estudadas, enquanto no espontâneo, relacionou-se, em Natal-RN, a reações negativas do parceiro ao saber da gravidez (p=0,05) e sua ausência no processo do abortamento (p<0,01) e, em São Paulo-SP, ao desconhecimento dele sobre a gestação (p=0,04). Conclusão: Apesar dos avanços sociais, seguem enraizados na identidade feminina princípios culturais e sociais que diante da situação de abortamento, ainda hoje, despertam na mulher conflitos e ambivalências. Mesmo com a independência feminina, a participação masculina mostra-se importante dentro do processo do abortamento, seja pelo suporte ou mesmo, pelo compartilhamento da responsabilidade / Introduction: Constant in the history of civilization, abortion has been a relevant issue in public health, having physical and emotional repercussions for women. This study addressed the historical and cultural aspects outlining the female pathway and maternity and dealt with the magnitude of abortion and emotional aspects, especially depression. Its purpose was to analyze sociodemographic characteristics, women\'s perception as regards the partner\'s reactions and behavior, and depression diagnosis in two Brazilian capitals, associating the variables from the spontaneous abortion group and the induced abortion group. Within each group, the objective was to relate the variables to depression. Method: In two Brazilian capitals, semistructured, questionnaire-based interviews were conducted with 285 women who underwent spontaneous abortion (139 in Natal-RN and 146 in São Paulo-SP) and 31 who reported having induced the abortion (11 in Natal-RN and 20 in São Paulo-SP). For diagnosing depression, the mood module from the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) was applied. The data were analyzed by the thematic analysis technique, and, subsequently, the IBM SPSS Statistics Standard Edition program was used. The significance level was set at p<0.05. Results: Induced abortion was statistically significant with respect to the following variables: in both Natal-RN and São Paulo-SP, being single ((p<0.01, p<0.01), a smaller number of previous pregnancies (p<0.01, p=0.04), and fewer previous spontaneous abortions (p<0.01, p<0.01); in Natal-RN alone, having a job (p=0.03), having a money income (p<0.01), and living with a family member (p<0.01); in São Paulo-SP only, induction of a previous abortion (p<0.01) and residence with friends (p<0.01). Concerning the perception the women had of their partners\' reactions and behavior, in both capitals, the partner was referred to as the one person who could not know about the abortion (p<0.01 in Natal-RN, p=0.02 in São Paulo-SP) and, simultaneously, as the one who could have avoided it (p<0.01 in Natal- RN, p=0.03 in São Paulo-SP). The partner\'s absence at the time of the pregnancy confirmation (p=0.02) was relevant in Natal- RN, and the partner\'s negative reaction when learning about the pregnancy (p=0.04) and his not participating in the abortion process (p<0.01) was relevant in São Paulo- SP. A high depression rate was found in both groups and in both capitals. Its presence in the induced abortion group was not associated with the study variables, while, in the spontaneous abortion group in Natal-RN, it was linked to the partner\'s negative reaction as he learned about the pregnancy (p=0.05) and to his absence during the abortion process (p<0.01), and in São Paulo-SP, to his not knowing about the pregnancy (p=0.04). Conclusion: Despite social advances, the cultural and social principles rooted in the female identity to this day still engender conflicts and ambivalent feelings in women when confronted with the situation of abortion. Notwithstanding women\'s independence, male participation has shown to be important in the abortion process, be it for support or for sharing the responsability

Introdução: Constante na história da civilização, o abortamento tem sido tema relevante na saúde pública, trazendo repercussões físicas e emocionais à mulher. Este trabalho abordou aspectos históricos e culturais que delinearam o percurso feminino e a maternidade, contemplou a magnitude do abortamento e aspectos emocionais, em especial, a depressão. Teve como objetivos, analisar características sociodemográficas, a percepção das mulheres quanto às reações e condutas do parceiro e o diagnóstico de depressão, em duas capitais brasileiras, associando as variáveis entre os grupos de abortamento espontâneo e provocado de cada capital. Buscou, em cada grupo, relacionar a depressão com as variáveis estudadas. Método: Foram realizadas entrevistas semidirigidas, com questionário previamente elaborado com 285 mulheres que sofreram abortamento espontâneo (139 em Natal-RN e 146 em São Paulo-SP) e 31 mulheres que referiram tê-lo provocado (11 em Natal-RN e 20 em São Paulo-SP). Para o diagnóstico de depressão, utilizou-se o módulo de humor do Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (Prime-MD). Os dados foram analisados pela Técnica de Análise Temática, posteriormente foi utilizado o programa IBM SPSS Statistics Standard Edition. O nível de significância utilizado foi p<0,05. Resultados: Encontrou-se significância estatística relacionada ao abortamento provocado, em Natal-RN e São Paulo-SP, nas variáveis: ser solteira (p<0,01; p<0,01) e ter menor número de gestações (p<0,01; p=0,04) e de abortamentos espontâneos anteriores (p<0,01; p<0,01). Em Natal-RN evidenciou-se ainda, mulheres com trabalho (p=0,03), renda financeira (p<0,01) e que residiam com familiar (p<0,01) e, em São Paulo-SP, ter provocado abortamento anterior (p=0,01) e residir com amigos (p<0,01). Quanto à percepção das mulheres em relação às reações e condutas do parceiro, em ambas as capitais, ele foi referido como a pessoa que não poderia saber do abortamento (p<0,01 em Natal-RN; p=0,02 em São Paulo-SP), ao mesmo tempo, como aquele que poderia tê-lo evitado (p<0,01 em Natal-RN; p=0,03 em São Paulo-SP). A ausência do parceiro no momento da confirmação da gestação (p=0,02) foi relevante em Natal-RN, e em São Paulo-SP, ele ter apresentado reações negativas frente à notícia da gravidez (p=0,04) e não ter participado no processo do abortamento (p<0,01). Constatou-se elevado índice de depressão em ambas capitais e grupos. Sua presença, no abortamento provocado, não esteve associada às variáveis estudadas, enquanto no espontâneo, relacionou-se, em Natal-RN, a reações negativas do parceiro ao saber da gravidez (p=0,05) e sua ausência no processo do abortamento (p<0,01) e, em São Paulo-SP, ao desconhecimento dele sobre a gestação (p=0,04). Conclusão: Apesar dos avanços sociais, seguem enraizados na identidade feminina princípios culturais e sociais que diante da situação de abortamento, ainda hoje, despertam na mulher conflitos e ambivalências. Mesmo com a independência feminina, a participação masculina mostra-se importante dentro do processo do abortamento, seja pelo suporte ou mesmo, pelo compartilhamento da responsabilidade / Introduction: Constant in the history of civilization, abortion has been a relevant issue in public health, having physical and emotional repercussions for women. This study addressed the historical and cultural aspects outlining the female pathway and maternity and dealt with the magnitude of abortion and emotional aspects, especially depression. Its purpose was to analyze sociodemographic characteristics, women\'s perception as regards the partner\'s reactions and behavior, and depression diagnosis in two Brazilian capitals, associating the variables from the spontaneous abortion group and the induced abortion group. Within each group, the objective was to relate the variables to depression. Method: In two Brazilian capitals, semistructured, questionnaire-based interviews were conducted with 285 women who underwent spontaneous abortion (139 in Natal-RN and 146 in São Paulo-SP) and 31 who reported having induced the abortion (11 in Natal-RN and 20 in São Paulo-SP). For diagnosing depression, the mood module from the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) was applied. The data were analyzed by the thematic analysis technique, and, subsequently, the IBM SPSS Statistics Standard Edition program was used. The significance level was set at p<0.05. Results: Induced abortion was statistically significant with respect to the following variables: in both Natal-RN and São Paulo-SP, being single ((p<0.01, p<0.01), a smaller number of previous pregnancies (p<0.01, p=0.04), and fewer previous spontaneous abortions (p<0.01, p<0.01); in Natal-RN alone, having a job (p=0.03), having a money income (p<0.01), and living with a family member (p<0.01); in São Paulo-SP only, induction of a previous abortion (p<0.01) and residence with friends (p<0.01). Concerning the perception the women had of their partners\' reactions and behavior, in both capitals, the partner was referred to as the one person who could not know about the abortion (p<0.01 in Natal-RN, p=0.02 in São Paulo-SP) and, simultaneously, as the one who could have avoided it (p<0.01 in Natal- RN, p=0.03 in São Paulo-SP). The partner\'s absence at the time of the pregnancy confirmation (p=0.02) was relevant in Natal- RN, and the partner\'s negative reaction when learning about the pregnancy (p=0.04) and his not participating in the abortion process (p<0.01) was relevant in São Paulo- SP. A high depression rate was found in both groups and in both capitals. Its presence in the induced abortion group was not associated with the study variables, while, in the spontaneous abortion group in Natal-RN, it was linked to the partner\'s negative reaction as he learned about the pregnancy (p=0.05) and to his absence during the abortion process (p<0.01), and in São Paulo-SP, to his not knowing about the pregnancy (p=0.04). Conclusion: Despite social advances, the cultural and social principles rooted in the female identity to this day still engender conflicts and ambivalent feelings in women when confronted with the situation of abortion. Notwithstanding women\'s independence, male participation has shown to be important in the abortion process, be it for support or for sharing the responsability

A number of studies have attempted to describe and explain both the levels of and trend in support for abortion in the adult population and college students, yet there is a gap around abortion attitudes of adolescents. This quantitative study aims to examine the levels of knowledge and attitudes of abortion among male and female secondary school learners, to examine gender differences among the learners with regards to abortion attitudes and knowledge as well as to investigate the effect of religion in terms of abortion. A sample of 150 adolescent males and females from Grade 11 between the ages of 15 to 19 years old was chosen to be used in the study. This research study was conducted at a secondary school in a lower middle class suburb in Durban. The learners were required to complete a questionnaire measuring levels of knowledge (based on different components of the South African legislation regarding abortion, that is, the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Act (1996); a rating scale of abortion attitudes (Esposito & Basow, 1995) and a short biographical component. The statistical programme SPSS 15.0 was used to analyze the data. The results show that the respondents' knowledge about South African legislation governing the act of abortion; varied, attitudes to abortion differed by gender, sexual status and the reasons for abortion. It was found that the older the person, the more positive their attitude towards the elective reasons for abortion. In this study, more positive attitudes towards abortion were prevalent in the Hindu sample as compared to the Christian sample. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Univ., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

The rational aspect of abort Abstract The Diploma thesis "The rational aspect of abort" try to clarification rational aspect of abort. However a religious viewpoint is not the main topic of this thesis, author doesn't leave it out and one separate chapter of this work is dedicated to it. Author endeavours to find an answer whether it is possible to consider an abort to be ethical and in what conditions. The thesis is trying to explain various aspects of abort in Czech Republic as well as abroad, it is also following a medical view-point and various executive methods of aborts. There is an aspiration to refer to the historical advancement of abort opinion and to resolve an origin of this problem. Disposition of this work is to disclose not only the moral aspects but also the feelings of the woman experiencing an abort including after-effects on her. The important chapter there is the postabortal syndrome which is not accepted as a medical diagnosis associated with psychological effects of abort. There is a short questionaire inserted in the thesis which refers to some women's opinions and experiences. Keywords abortion, sorts of abortion, abortion and mental health, unwanted children, the dispute over the status of the embryo