Plain English summary
Background
Methodology
Analysis
Results
Paper No | Authors; Year of publication | Title | Methodological approach | Main study focus/ objective |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Gipson JD, Becker D, Mishtal JZ, Norris AH; 2011 [15] | Conducting collaborative abortion research in international settings | Review of authors’ collaborative research experiences in conducting abortion-related studies using clinic- and community-based samples in five diverse settings (Poland, Zanzibar, Mexico City, the Philippines, and Bangladesh) | To share insights and lessons learned with new and established researchers to inform the development and implementation of abortion-related research |
2. | Hess R; 2006 [13] | Postabortion research: Methodological and ethical issues | Phenomenology | To describe the ethical and methodological issues encountered during the study on post abortion |
3. | Söderberg H, Andersson C, Janzon L SN; 1998 [14] | Selection bias in a study on how women experienced induced abortion | In each case information on socio-demographic characteristics, reproductive history and stated reasons for abortion was collected at the mandatory clinical visit prior to the abortion (Longitudinal study) | Using data from the mandatory preoperative visit, to compare those who agreed and those who refused to discuss their experience of the induced abortion and the care they had recived. Comparisions were made with regard to socio-demographic characteristics, reproductive history and stated reason for abortion |
4. | Ringheim K; 1999 [16] | Ethical issues in postabortion care research involving vulnerable subjects | Review | To outline a set of principles developed by ethicists with specific reference to reproductive health that may help to meet the objectives of a rigorous ethical review called for in the case of vulnerable women during postabortion care |
5. | Adler NE, David HP, Major BN, Roth SH, Russo NF, Wyatt GE; 1990 [20] | Psychological responses after abortion | Review | To document factors that shape responses after abortion |
6. | Osur J, Baird TL, Levandowski BA, Jackson E, Murokora D; 2013 [21] | Implementation of misoprostol for postabortion care in Kenya and Uganda: A qualitative evaluation | Qualitative, program evaluation | Evaluate implementation of misoprostol for postabortion care (MPAC) in two African countries |
7. | Reardon D; 1997 [22] | Limitations on postabortion research: Why we know so little | Review | To document the emotional aftermath of abortion |
8. | Major B, Cozzarelli C, Cooper ML, Zubek J, Richards C, Wilhite M, et al.; 2000 [23] | Psychological responses of women after first-trimester abortion | Longitudinal study | To examine emotions, evaluations, and mental health after an abortion, as well as changes over time in these responses and their predictors |
9. | Major B, Gramzow RH; 1999 [24] | Abortion as stigma: cognitive and emotional implications of concealment | Longitudinal study | To examine the stigma of abortion and psychological implications of concealment of their abortion |
10. | Melkamu Y, Enquselassie F, Ali A, Gebresilassie H, Yusuf L; 2005 [25] | Assessment of quality of post abortion care in government hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Cross sectional survey | To assess the quality of health services with respect to postabortion care in hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
11. | Evens E, Otieno-Masaba R, Eichleay M, McCarraher D, Hainsworth G, Lane C, et al.; 2014 [26] | Post-abortion care services for youth and adult clients in Kenya: a comparison of services, client satisfaction and provider attitudes | A descriptive, post-intervention study of PAC services was conducted in eight facilities in Central and Nairobi provinces | To examine receipt of PAC services by client age, client satisfaction and provider attitudes |
12. | Prata N, Bell S, Gessessew a, 2013 [27] | Comprehensive abortion care: evidence of improvements in hospital-level indicators in Tigray, Ethiopia. | Secondary data analysis on retrospectively collected data | To assess trends in abortion-related morbidity indicators in referral hospitals |
13. | Borges ALV, Monteiro RL, Hoga LAK, Fujimori E, Chofakian CBDN, & Santos OAD; 2014 [28] | Post-abortion contraception: care and practices | A longitudinal study of women hospitalized due to abortion in a public hospital | To analyze assistance regarding contraception methods received by women during hospitalization due to abortion, and contraceptive practices the month after this episode |
14. | Wulifan, J. K., Brenner, S., Jahn, A., & De Allegri, M.; 2016 [29] | Scoping review on determinants of unmet need for family planning among women of reproductive age in low and middle income countries | Scoping review by employing mixed method approach. | To summarize the factors influencing unmet need among women in LMICs |
Ethics domains | Ethics challenges identified | Guidance within the literature |
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The role of local health providers, authorities and IRBs in approving PAC studies | -Difficulties in convincing local health providers or authorities to engage adolescents in PAC [16]. | |
Recruitment of adolescents | Using several sources to recruit study participants [13]. | |
-Sampling from few clinics [20]. | ||
-Underrepresentation of women with unique characteristics such as those who find abortion stressful [20]. | ||
-Concealment of abortion affecting consent process [22]. | ||
Informed consent | ||
-Vulnerability of adolescents compromising ability to make decisions [16]. | ||
-Fear of losing access to health care affecting informed consent process [16]. | ||
-Inadequate guidance on how and when to involve “the community” in informed consent processes [16]. | ||
Distribution of risks and benefits | -Selection bias such as having participants belonging to a particular group [20]. | -Use of multiple methods may help reduce bias [13]. |
-Difficulties with generalizability and validity of policy recommendations [14]. | -Using several sources to recruit study participants [13]. | |
- Discussion of the risks and benefits of participation in the research [15]. | ||
-Use research to foster positive attention, advocacy, support on abortion [15]. | ||
Handling of confidential information | -Avoided collecting personal identifiers- give reminder card which shows date and place of interview, and telephone number of the interviewer [15]. | |
-Challenges in securing a conducive place for undertaking interviews [15]. | -Creativity in identifying a secure space, which includes collecting data from an office away from the clinic [15]. | |
-Ensure that dissemination of findings does not pose a risk by masking research sites, or collaborators, masking of clinic or community and providers [15] | ||
-Maintaining confidentiality and privacy of data may be challenging [13]. | ||
Data collection: Participants and research staff/health providers | -Training providers at all in capturing of data, including referral processes on PAC [27]. | |
-Difficulties in creating a non-prejudicial atmosphere [13]. | -International researchers should always partner with local researchers [15] | |
-Understanding social norms [15]. | ||
-Health workers wanting to be present during data collection [16]. | ||
-Role of the researcher who observes unethical health care practices [16]. | ||
-Paternalistic practices by health workers [16]. | ||
-Difficulties in managing emotional issues among adolescents [16]. | ||
Data collection: quality of data | ||
-Incomplete records on the number of PAC services provided [27]. | ||
-Underreporting of abortion complications [27]. | -Brief health workers after the study session and or/ bring up deficiencies in management meetings [16]. | |
-Cooperation is inconsistent and unreliable [22]. | ||
-Inadequate training among data collectors [16]. |