Normalising abortion: what role can health professionals play?

Authors: Maxwell, K.J., Hoggart, L., Bloomer, F., Rowlands, S. and Purcell, C.

Journal: BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health

Volume: 47

Issue: 1

Pages: 32-36

eISSN: 2515-2009

ISSN: 2515-1991

DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2019-200480

Abstract:

Background Despite being a common gynaecological procedure, abortion continues to be widely stigmatised. The research and medical communities are increasingly considering ways of reducing stigma, and health professionals have a role to play in normalising abortion as part of routine sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH). We sought to investigate how health professionals may normalise abortion and challenge prevailing negative sociocultural narratives. Methods As part of the Sexuality and Abortion Stigma Study (SASS), qualitative secondary analysis was conducted on two datasets containing health professionals' accounts of providing abortion in Scotland and England. A subsample of 20 interviews were subjected to in-depth, thematic analysis. results Four key themes were identified in heath professionals' accounts: (1) encountering resistance to abortion from others working in SRH; (2) contending with prevailing negative sociocultural narratives of abortion; (3) enacting overt positivity towards abortion provision; and (4) presenting abortion as part of normal, routine healthcare. Conclusions It is clear that negative attitudes toward abortion persist both inside and outside of healthcare systems, and need to be challenged in order to destigmatise those accessing and providing services. Health professionals can play a key role in normalising abortion, through the ways in which they frame their work and present abortion to women they treat, and others more widely. Our analysis suggests a key way to achieve this is by presenting abortion as part of normal, routine SRH, but that appropriate support and structural change are essential for normalisation to become embedded.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33849/

Source: Scopus

Normalising abortion: what role can health professionals play?

Authors: Maxwell, K.J., Hoggart, L., Bloomer, F., Rowlands, S. and Purcell, C.

Journal: BMJ Sex Reprod Health

Volume: 47

Issue: 1

Pages: 32-36

eISSN: 2515-2009

DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2019-200480

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Despite being a common gynaecological procedure, abortion continues to be widely stigmatised. The research and medical communities are increasingly considering ways of reducing stigma, and health professionals have a role to play in normalising abortion as part of routine sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH). We sought to investigate how health professionals may normalise abortion and challenge prevailing negative sociocultural narratives. METHODS: As part of the Sexuality and Abortion Stigma Study (SASS), qualitative secondary analysis was conducted on two datasets containing health professionals' accounts of providing abortion in Scotland and England. A subsample of 20 interviews were subjected to in-depth, thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four key themes were identified in heath professionals' accounts: (1) encountering resistance to abortion from others working in SRH; (2) contending with prevailing negative sociocultural narratives of abortion; (3) enacting overt positivity towards abortion provision; and (4) presenting abortion as part of normal, routine healthcare. CONCLUSIONS: It is clear that negative attitudes toward abortion persist both inside and outside of healthcare systems, and need to be challenged in order to destigmatise those accessing and providing services. Health professionals can play a key role in normalising abortion, through the ways in which they frame their work and present abortion to women they treat, and others more widely. Our analysis suggests a key way to achieve this is by presenting abortion as part of normal, routine SRH, but that appropriate support and structural change are essential for normalisation to become embedded.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33849/

Source: PubMed

Normalising abortion: what role can health professionals play?

Authors: Maxwell, K.J., Hoggart, L., Bloomer, F., Rowlands, S. and Purcell, C.

Journal: BMJ SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Volume: 47

Issue: 1

Pages: 32-36

eISSN: 2515-2009

ISSN: 2515-1991

DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2019-200480

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33849/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Normalising abortion: what role can health professionals play?

Authors: Maxwell, K.J., Hoggart, L., Bloomer, F., Rowlands, S. and Purcell, C.

Journal: BMJ sexual & reproductive health

Pages: bmjsrh-2019-200480

eISSN: 2515-2009

ISSN: 2515-1991

DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2019-200480

Abstract:

Background

Despite being a common gynaecological procedure, abortion continues to be widely stigmatised. The research and medical communities are increasingly considering ways of reducing stigma, and health professionals have a role to play in normalising abortion as part of routine sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH). We sought to investigate how health professionals may normalise abortion and challenge prevailing negative sociocultural narratives.

Methods

As part of the Sexuality and Abortion Stigma Study (SASS), qualitative secondary analysis was conducted on two datasets containing health professionals' accounts of providing abortion in Scotland and England. A subsample of 20 interviews were subjected to in-depth, thematic analysis.

Results

Four key themes were identified in heath professionals' accounts: (1) encountering resistance to abortion from others working in SRH; (2) contending with prevailing negative sociocultural narratives of abortion; (3) enacting overt positivity towards abortion provision; and (4) presenting abortion as part of normal, routine healthcare.

Conclusions

It is clear that negative attitudes toward abortion persist both inside and outside of healthcare systems, and need to be challenged in order to destigmatise those accessing and providing services. Health professionals can play a key role in normalising abortion, through the ways in which they frame their work and present abortion to women they treat, and others more widely. Our analysis suggests a key way to achieve this is by presenting abortion as part of normal, routine SRH, but that appropriate support and structural change are essential for normalisation to become embedded.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33849/

Source: Europe PubMed Central

Normalising abortion: what role can health professionals play?

Authors: Maxwell, K.J., Hoggart, L., Bloomer, F., Rowlands, S. and Purcell, C.

Journal: BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health

Volume: 47

Pages: 32-36

ISSN: 2515-1991

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Despite being a common gynaecological procedure, abortion continues to be widely stigmatised. The research and medical communities are increasingly considering ways of reducing stigma, and health professionals have a role to play in normalising abortion as part of routine sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH). We sought to investigate how health professionals may normalise abortion and challenge prevailing negative sociocultural narratives. METHODS: As part of the Sexuality and Abortion Stigma Study (SASS), qualitative secondary analysis was conducted on two datasets containing health professionals' accounts of providing abortion in Scotland and England. A subsample of 20 interviews were subjected to in-depth, thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four key themes were identified in heath professionals' accounts: (1) encountering resistance to abortion from others working in SRH; (2) contending with prevailing negative sociocultural narratives of abortion; (3) enacting overt positivity towards abortion provision; and (4) presenting abortion as part of normal, routine healthcare. CONCLUSIONS: It is clear that negative attitudes toward abortion persist both inside and outside of healthcare systems, and need to be challenged in order to destigmatise those accessing and providing services. Health professionals can play a key role in normalising abortion, through the ways in which they frame their work and present abortion to women they treat, and others more widely. Our analysis suggests a key way to achieve this is by presenting abortion as part of normal, routine SRH, but that appropriate support and structural change are essential for normalisation to become embedded.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33849/

Source: BURO EPrints