Cultural Practices as a Coping Measure for Women who Terminated a Pregnancy in Adolescence: A Qualitative Study

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr"> <head>  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-P63WKM1TM1"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-P63WKM1TM1'); </script>  <script type="text/javascript" > (function(m,e,t,r,i,k,a){m[i]=m[i]||function(){(m[i].a=m[i].a||[]).push(arguments)}; m[i].l=1*new Date(); for (var j = 0; j < document.scripts.length; j++) {if (document.scripts[j].src === r) { return; }} k=e.createElement(t),a=e.getElementsByTagName(t)[0],k.async=1,k.src=r,a.parentNode.insertBefore(k,a)}) (window, document, "script", "https://mc.yandex.ru/metrika/tag.js", "ym"); ym(55165297, "init", { clickmap:false, trackLinks:true, accurateTrackBounce:true, webvisor:false }); </script> <noscript><div><img src="https://mc.yandex.ru/watch/55165297" style="position:absolute; left:-9999px;" alt="" /></div></noscript>    <title>Cultural Practices as a Coping Measure for Women who Terminated a Pregnancy in Adolescence: A Qualitative Study</title> <meta name="description" content="Cultural Practices as a Coping Measure for Women who Terminated a Pregnancy in Adolescence: A Qualitative Study"> <meta name="keywords" content="Adolescence, case study, cultural rituals, pregnancy."> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, minimum-scale=1, maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=no"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta name="citation_title" content="Cultural Practices as a Coping Measure for Women who Terminated a Pregnancy in Adolescence: A Qualitative Study"> <meta name="citation_author" content="Botshelo R. Sebola"> <meta name="citation_publication_date" content="2023/05/29"> <meta name="citation_journal_title" content="International Journal of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences"> <meta name="citation_volume" content="17"> <meta name="citation_issue" content="5"> <meta name="citation_firstpage" content="113"> <meta name="citation_lastpage" content="116"> <meta name="citation_pdf_url" content="https://publications.waset.org/10013102/pdf"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" rel="shortcut icon"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/bootstrap-4.2.1/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/fontawesome/css/all.min.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/css/site.css?v=150220211555" rel="stylesheet"> </head> <body> <header> <div class="container"> <nav class="navbar navbar-expand-lg navbar-light"> <a class="navbar-brand" href="https://waset.org"> <img src="https://cdn.waset.org/static/images/wasetc.png" alt="Open Science Research Excellence" title="Open Science Research Excellence" /> </a> <button class="d-block d-lg-none navbar-toggler ml-auto" type="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#navbarMenu" aria-controls="navbarMenu" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle navigation"> <span class="navbar-toggler-icon"></span> </button> <div class="w-100"> <div class="d-none d-lg-flex flex-row-reverse"> <form method="get" action="https://waset.org/search" class="form-inline my-2 my-lg-0"> <input class="form-control mr-sm-2" type="search" placeholder="Search Conferences" value="" name="q" aria-label="Search"> <button class="btn btn-light my-2 my-sm-0" type="submit"><i class="fas fa-search"></i></button> </form> </div> <div class="collapse navbar-collapse mt-1" id="navbarMenu"> <ul class="navbar-nav ml-auto align-items-center" id="mainNavMenu"> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://waset.org/conferences" title="Conferences in 2024/2025/2026">Conferences</a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://waset.org/disciplines" title="Disciplines">Disciplines</a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://waset.org/committees" rel="nofollow">Committees</a> </li> <li class="nav-item dropdown"> <a class="nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="#" id="navbarDropdownPublications" role="button" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"> Publications </a> <div class="dropdown-menu" aria-labelledby="navbarDropdownPublications"> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts">Abstracts</a> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://publications.waset.org">Periodicals</a> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://publications.waset.org/archive">Archive</a> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://waset.org/page/support" title="Support">Support</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </header> <main> <div class="container mt-4"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-9 mx-auto"> <form method="get" action="https://publications.waset.org/search"> <div id="custom-search-input"> <div class="input-group"> <i class="fas fa-search"></i> <input type="text" class="search-query" name="q" placeholder="Author, Title, Abstract, Keywords" value=""> <input type="submit" class="btn_search" value="Search"> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="row mt-3"> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Commenced</strong> in January 2007</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Frequency:</strong> Monthly</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Edition:</strong> International</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Paper Count:</strong> 33093</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card publication-listing mt-3 mb-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem">Cultural Practices as a Coping Measure for Women who Terminated a Pregnancy in Adolescence: A Qualitative Study</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/search?q=Botshelo%20R.%20Sebola">Botshelo R. Sebola</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> <p>Unintended pregnancy often results in pregnancy termination. Most countries have legalised the termination of a pregnancy and pregnant adolescents can visit designated clinics without their parents’ consent. In most African and Asian countries, certain cultural practices are performed following any form of childbirth, including abortion, and such practices are ingrained in societies. The aim of this paper was to understand how women who terminated a pregnancy during adolescence coped by embracing cultural practices. A descriptive multiple case study design was adopted for the study. In-depth, semi-structured interviews and reflective diaries were used for data collection. Participants were 13 women aged 20 to 35 years who had terminated a pregnancy in adolescence. Three women kept their soiled sanitary pads, burned them to ash and waited for the rainy season to scatter the ash in a flowing stream. This ritual was performed to appease the ancestors, ask them for forgiveness and as a send-off for the aborted foetus. Five women secretly consulted Sangoma (traditional healers) to perform certain rituals. Three women isolated themselves to perform herbal cleansings, and the last two chose not to engage in any sexual activity for one year, which led to the loss of their partners. This study offers a unique contribution to understanding the solitary journey of women who terminate a pregnancy. The study challenges healthcare professionals who work in clinics that offer pregnancy termination services to look beyond releasing the foetus to advocating and providing women with the necessary care and support in performing cultural practices.</p> <iframe src="https://publications.waset.org/10013102.pdf" style="width:100%; height:400px;" frameborder="0"></iframe> <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/search?q=Adolescence" title="Adolescence">Adolescence</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/search?q=case%20study" title=" case study"> case study</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/search?q=cultural%20rituals" title=" cultural rituals"> cultural rituals</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/search?q=pregnancy." title=" pregnancy."> pregnancy.</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013102/cultural-practices-as-a-coping-measure-for-women-who-terminated-a-pregnancy-in-adolescence-a-qualitative-study" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013102/apa" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">APA</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013102/bibtex" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">BibTeX</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013102/chicago" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Chicago</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013102/endnote" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">EndNote</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013102/harvard" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Harvard</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013102/json" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">JSON</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013102/mla" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">MLA</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013102/ris" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">RIS</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013102/xml" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">XML</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013102/iso690" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">ISO 690</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/10013102.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">399</span> </span> <p class="card-text"><strong>References:</strong></p> <br>[1] World Health Organization. WHO recommendations on self-care interventions, Self-management of medical abortion, 2022 update. Geneva. Revision https://www.who.int/publications/i/ item/9789240052192 <br>[2] World Health Organization, WHO recommendations on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. Geneva. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. Cataloguing-in-Publication (CIP) data. CIP data are available, 2018. <br>[3] K. Coleman-Minahan, A.J. Stevenson, E. Obront and A. Hays, “Adolescents Obtaining Abortion Without Parental Consent: Their Reasons and Experiences of Social Support”, Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2020. 52(1):15–22. Doi: 10.1363/psrh.12132. <br>[4] M.E. Meurice, B. Otieno, J. J. Chang, and M. Makenzius, “Stigma surrounding contraceptive use and abortion among secondary school teachers: A cross-sectional study in Western Kenya,” February 2021 Contraception X 3(3):100062 <br>[5] Mboya, P. (1938). Luo, kitgi gi timbegi: A Handbook of Luo Customs. Equitorial Publishers. <br>[6] J.R.M. Njue, D. Rombo, A.N. Lutomia, L.S. Smart, L.M. Mwaniki and I.L. Sore, “Death, grief and culture in Kenya: experiential strengths-based research”. In The World of Bereavement, 2015, 3-23. Springer, Cham. <br>[7] N.F. Woods and M. Catanzaro, Nursing Research: Theory and Practice. Mosby, St Louis, MO, USA, 1988. <br>[8] J.R. Gray, S.K. Grove and S. Sutherland, The Practice of Nursing Research. Appraisal, Synthesis and Generation of Evidence. 8th edition. Missouri: Elsevier, 2017. <br>[9] M.B. Miles and A.M. Huberman, Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage, 1994. <br>[10] Yin, R.K., “Discovering the future of the case study. Method in evaluation research”. Evaluation practice, 15(3):283-290, 1994. <br>[11] W. Weiten, Psychology themes and variations. 9th edition. USA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2013. <br>[12] C.Y. Lin, “Rituals for abortion and miscarriage in Taiwan: Spiritual and Social representation of the fetus,” unpublished. <br>[13] S. Ngubane, “Death and Burial Practices in Contemporary Zulu Culture, South Africa. In: Selin, H., Rakoff, R. (eds) Death Across Cultures”. Science Across Cultures: The History of Non-Western Science, 2019, vol 9. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18826-9_8. <br>[14] Y. Droz, “Transformations of Death among the Kikuyu of Kenya”, Funerals in Africa: Explorations of a social phenomenon, 2011, 69-87. <br>[15] B. Turyomumazima, No place for Abortion in African Traditional Life-Some Reflections. Available at: http://www.Conciencelaws.org/background/procedures/abortion019.aspx, 2017, (accessed on 14.12.2018). <br>[16] G.R. Raphael, Accessed at https://ritualwell.org/topic/healing-hard-times/, 2022, on 25/09/2022. <br>[17] B.R. Sebola, Interaction of culture and grief among women who terminated a pregnancy in adolescence: a narrative approach. Curationis, 44(1), pp.1-6, 2021. <br>[18] N. Kollar and K. Doka, “Disenfranchised grief: Recognizing hidden sorrow”, 1989. <br>[19] Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 2018. “Understanding Grief Within a Cultural Context”, Accessed at https://www.cancer.net/coping-with-cancer/managing-emotions/grief-and-loss/understanding-grief-within-cultural-context, 2018, on 27/09/2022. <br>[20] D. J. Brin, “The Use of Rituals in Grieving for a Miscarriage or Stillbirth” Women & Therapy, 2008, 27(3):123-132. DOI:10.1300/J015v27n03_09. <br>[21] National Department of Health, “National Clinical Guideline For Implementation of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act” Republic of South Africa, 2019. Accessed at http://www.health.gov.za. on 1/11/2022. <br>[22] M.A. Rakhudu, A.M.M. Mmelesi, C.P.H. Myburgh, and M. Poggenpoel, “Exploration of the views of traditional healers regarding the Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) law”, Curationis, 29(3): 56-60, 2006. </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer> <div id="infolinks" class="pt-3 pb-2"> <div class="container"> <div style="background-color:#f5f5f5;" class="p-3"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-2"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> About <li><a href="https://waset.org/page/support">About Us</a></li> <li><a href="https://waset.org/page/support#legal-information">Legal</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://publications.waset.org/static/files/WASET-16th-foundational-anniversary.pdf">WASET celebrates its 16th foundational anniversary</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-2"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> Account <li><a href="https://waset.org/profile">My Account</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-2"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> Explore <li><a href="https://waset.org/disciplines">Disciplines</a></li> <li><a href="https://waset.org/conferences">Conferences</a></li> <li><a href="https://waset.org/conference-programs">Conference Program</a></li> <li><a href="https://waset.org/committees">Committees</a></li> <li><a href="https://publications.waset.org">Publications</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-2"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> Research <li><a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts">Abstracts</a></li> <li><a href="https://publications.waset.org">Periodicals</a></li> <li><a href="https://publications.waset.org/archive">Archive</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-2"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> Open Science <li><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://publications.waset.org/static/files/Open-Science-Philosophy.pdf">Open Science Philosophy</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://publications.waset.org/static/files/Open-Science-Award.pdf">Open Science Award</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://publications.waset.org/static/files/Open-Society-Open-Science-and-Open-Innovation.pdf">Open Innovation</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://publications.waset.org/static/files/Postdoctoral-Fellowship-Award.pdf">Postdoctoral Fellowship Award</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://publications.waset.org/static/files/Scholarly-Research-Review.pdf">Scholarly Research Review</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-2"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> Support <li><a href="https://waset.org/page/support">Support</a></li> <li><a href="https://waset.org/profile/messages/create">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="https://waset.org/profile/messages/create">Report Abuse</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container text-center"> <hr style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:.3rem;"> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank" class="text-muted small">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a> <div id="copy" class="mt-2">© 2024 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology</div> </div> </footer> <a href="javascript:" id="return-to-top"><i class="fas fa-arrow-up"></i></a> <div class="modal" id="modal-template"> <div class="modal-dialog"> <div class="modal-content"> <div class="row m-0 mt-1"> <div class="col-md-12"> <button type="button" class="close" data-dismiss="modal" aria-label="Close"><span aria-hidden="true">×</span></button> </div> </div> <div class="modal-body"></div> </div> </div> </div> <script src="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/jquery-3.3.1.min.js"></script> <script src="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/bootstrap-4.2.1/js/bootstrap.bundle.min.js"></script> <script src="https://cdn.waset.org/static/js/site.js?v=150220211556"></script> <script> jQuery(document).ready(function() { /*jQuery.get("https://publications.waset.org/xhr/user-menu", function (response) { jQuery('#mainNavMenu').append(response); });*/ jQuery.get({ url: "https://publications.waset.org/xhr/user-menu", cache: false }).then(function(response){ jQuery('#mainNavMenu').append(response); }); }); </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Cultural Practices as a Coping Measure for Women who Terminated a Pregnancy in Adolescence: A Qualitative Study