Abstract
Summary of Abstract: This study explored barriers to safe abortions, finding that healthcare providers, mandatory waiting periods, and financial constraints hinder women's ability to obtain abortion care.
Introduction/Background: Barriers to accessing safe abortions can have significant negative consequences, including emotional distress, increased risk of abuse, and the potential for unsafe abortion procedures.
Objectives: This study aimed to identify and explore the barriers women encounter in accessing safe and timely abortion care in Latvia.
Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was utilized in this study. Data were collected via an anonymous online questionnaire administered from August 30, 2024, to January 9, 2025. The questionnaire included both multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The target population comprised adult women who had undergoneconsultations regarding pregnancy termination with their healthcare
providers in Latvia. The questionnaire was distributed via social media and fliers in healthcare facilities. The qualitative data underwent descriptive analysis, while the qualitative portions were coded and categorized into themes and subthemes.
Results/Discussion: The questionnaire was completed 117 times. After applying quality control measures and adhering to inclusion/exclusion criteria, a sample of 45 participants aligned with the target population. 19 participants gave extended open-ended question answers which allowed for a comprehensive qualitative analysis. Qualitative analysis identified three key themes: “Quality of healthcare services,” “Mandatory waiting period effect on abortion care,” and “financial Burden.” Quantitative data supported these findings. The majority reported experiencing financial hardship related to abortion care and found the waiting period to make the abortion process more difficult.
Conclusion: Healthcare providers, mandatory waiting periods, and financial burdens constitute significant barriers to safe abortion care access in Latvia. Further research and a review of local laws and health care guidelines are necessary.
Keywords: Abortion care, Safe abortions, Waiting period, Reproductive
health, Reproductive rights.
Introduction/Background: Barriers to accessing safe abortions can have significant negative consequences, including emotional distress, increased risk of abuse, and the potential for unsafe abortion procedures.
Objectives: This study aimed to identify and explore the barriers women encounter in accessing safe and timely abortion care in Latvia.
Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was utilized in this study. Data were collected via an anonymous online questionnaire administered from August 30, 2024, to January 9, 2025. The questionnaire included both multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The target population comprised adult women who had undergoneconsultations regarding pregnancy termination with their healthcare
providers in Latvia. The questionnaire was distributed via social media and fliers in healthcare facilities. The qualitative data underwent descriptive analysis, while the qualitative portions were coded and categorized into themes and subthemes.
Results/Discussion: The questionnaire was completed 117 times. After applying quality control measures and adhering to inclusion/exclusion criteria, a sample of 45 participants aligned with the target population. 19 participants gave extended open-ended question answers which allowed for a comprehensive qualitative analysis. Qualitative analysis identified three key themes: “Quality of healthcare services,” “Mandatory waiting period effect on abortion care,” and “financial Burden.” Quantitative data supported these findings. The majority reported experiencing financial hardship related to abortion care and found the waiting period to make the abortion process more difficult.
Conclusion: Healthcare providers, mandatory waiting periods, and financial burdens constitute significant barriers to safe abortion care access in Latvia. Further research and a review of local laws and health care guidelines are necessary.
Keywords: Abortion care, Safe abortions, Waiting period, Reproductive
health, Reproductive rights.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | EBCOG25-2298 |
| Pages (from-to) | 129 |
| Journal | European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology |
| Volume | 313 |
| Issue number | Suppl.1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2025 |
| Event | 29th European Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Congress Center and Forum, Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Duration: 5 Jun 2025 → 7 Jun 2025 Conference number: 29 https://www.esge.org/event-esge/ebcog-congress/ https://www.ebcog-congress.eu/ |
Field of Science*
- 3.3 Health sciences
Publication Type*
- 3.3. Publications in conference proceedings indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Exploring barriers to safe abortion care: a mixed-methods study of women in Latvia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Cite this
- APA
- Author
- BIBTEX
- Harvard
- Standard
- RIS
- Vancouver