Can community health workers play a greater role in increasing access to medical abortion services? A qualitative study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12905-017-0391-1
• Publication Date: 2017-05-25T08:33:29Z
• Authors: Pallavi Gupta; Sharad D. Iyengar; Bela Ganatra; Heidi Bart Johnston; Kirti Iyengar
• Keywords: Medical abortion; Community Health

Despite being legally available in India since 1971, barriers to safe and legal abortion remain, unsafe and/or illegal continues be a problem. Community health workers have been involved improving access information care for maternal child resource poor settings, but their role facilitating accurate about has relatively unexplored. A qualitative study was conducted Rajasthan, acceptability, perspectives preferences of women community workers, regarding the involvement medical referrals. In-depth interviews were with 24 seeking early at facilities or presenting these follow-up assessment after abortion. Ten who trained assess eligibility whether needed visit also interviewed. The transcripts coded using ATLAS-ti 7 (version 7.1.4) local language reports generated all codes, emerging themes identified findings analysed. (CHWs) willing play assessing identifying are need abortion, when provided appropriate training, regular supplies job aids. Women however had apprehensions contacting CHWs relation abortions. Important that prevented from assistance fear breach confidentiality perception they would pressurised undergo sterilisation. Our support potential greater making services accessible women, while highlighting address women’s concerns approaching case unwanted pregnancy. Further intervention research shed light on effectiveness outline specific components programme setting. Not applicable.