A qualitative exploration of how the COVID-19 pandemic shaped experiences of self-managed medication abortion with accompaniment group support in Argentina, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Venezuela. Issue 1 (31st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bercu, Chiara; Filippa, Sofia; Jayaweera, Ruvani; Egwuatu, Ijeoma; Nmezi, Sybil; Zurbriggen, Ruth; Grosso, Belen; Kristianingrum, Ika Ayu; Maneiro, Mariana; Liparelli, María Soledad; Sandoval, Stephhanie; Tapia, Isha; Soria, Guillermina; Moseson, Heidi
• Is Part Of: Sexual & reproductive health matters. Volume 30:Issue 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-31
• Subjects: self-managed abortion -- medication abortion -- accompaniment -- feminism -- COVID-19 pandemic -- Argentina -- Indonesia -- Nigeria -- Venezuela; Sexual health -- Periodicals; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; Women's health services -- Periodicals; Women's rights -- Periodicals; Women's rights; Women's health services; Sexual health; Reproductive health; Sexual Health; Reproductive Health; Women's Health; Women's Rights; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodical; 613.9
• DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2022.2079808
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2641-0397

Abstract

Abstract: Globally, people self-manage their medication abortions without clinical assistance. Feminist activist collectives (accompaniment groups) support people through self-managed abortion with evidence-based guidance. We sought to understand the impact of COVID-19 and related restrictions on the need for and experiences of self-managed abortion with accompaniment support across varied legal and social contexts. Between May and October 2020, we conducted in-depth interviews with individuals who self-managed abortions with support from accompaniment groups during the pandemic in Argentina, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Venezuela. We conducted a thematic analysis to understand the impact of COVID-19 on participants' experiences with accompanied self-managed abortions. Across 43 in-depth interviews, participants in all four countries described how the COVID-19 pandemic created challenges at each step of their abortion process, from confirming the pregnancy, accessing abortion pills, finding a private, comfortable place, and verifying abortion completion. For most people, conditions related to the pandemic made it harder to self-manage an abortion; for a minority, being at home made aspects of the experience somewhat easier. Nonetheless, all participants reported feeling supported by accompaniment groups, and COVID-19 and related lockdowns reinforced their preference for accompaniment-supported self-managed abortion. These findings highlight the essential role that accompaniment groups play in ensuring access to high-quality abortion care in a multiplicity of settings, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts are needed to expand the reach of accompaniment groups to increase access to the high-quality abortion support they provide, filling a critical gap left by health systems and legal infrastructure.