Biomedical subjects

Rosanna F Hess

Publications and source records attributed to Rosanna F Hess.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Women's stories of abortion in southern Gabon, Africa.

The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons women in rural, southern Gabon, Africa, chose to terminate their pregnancies, the methods used to induce abortions, and postabortion effects experienced by these women. Abortion is illegal in this country. A descriptive qualitative design guided the methodology for this study. Five women with a history of induced abortion were interviewed in-depth for their abortion story. Reasons cited for an abortion included lack of financial and partner support. Abortion methods included oral, rectal, and vaginal concoctions of leaves, bark, and water and over-the-counter medications, including misoprostol. Affects were physical, spiritual, and relational. Health care professionals need to provide women with guidance for appropriate contraceptive usage. Abortion after-care of women with physical and spiritual needs is important. Future research is suggested on the use of misoprostol in Gabon to understand its affects on women's reproductive health.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed2006

Postabortion research: methodological and ethical issues.

The author conducted research on long-term postabortion experience guided by the principles of phenomenology, and she describes the ethical and methodological issues encountered during the study, in which she interviewed 17 women who were more than 5 years postabortion, in this article. Discussed here, in the context of abortion as a sensitive topic for researcher and participant, are personal bias; recruitment, protection, and interviewing of participants; data analysis; and communication of findings. During the research process, the author gave particular attention to the formulation of the consent form, contact with the participants, the interview technique, the choice of a transcriptionist, and the use of a second reader. She also acknowledged her personal position on abortion, the reality of role conflict, and the importance of debriefing.

Abortion, Legal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dimensions of women's long-term postabortion experience.

PURPOSE: To explore and describe the long-term postabortion experience as lived by women, at least 5 years after a first-trimester-induced abortion. METHODS: This phenomenological study used semistructured interviews and constant-comparison analysis. Stories of 17 women were recorded on audio tape, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed. RESULTS: Women who had induced abortions represented several ethnic groups, religions, and occupations, and were single, married, or divorced. The average number of years from abortion to interview was 18.9 (range 6-31 years). The age range at first abortion was 14 to 43, and at interview was 23 to 60 years of age. Five themes emerged within the women's stories: Making the Decision, Coping With the Memories, Gaining Perspective, Seeking Help, and Recognizing Its Worth. Most women who participated in this study were able to integrate the abortion experience into their lives, and had found meaning in the abortion experience. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study provides yet more reasons why nursing should encourage women to prevent unplanned pregnancies through fertility control. Women in this study described many life-changing experiences, both positive and negative, because of an abortion. Therefore, preabortion counseling should be sensitive and include information about possible long-term effects. Postabortion support should acknowledge spiritual issues, and include steps women can take to help heal themselves, such as grief counseling and mourning rituals when appropriate.

Abortion, Induced↗