title: Investigating social consequences of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion in Malawi: the role of stigma.
abstract: Malawian women in all sectors of society are suffering from social implications of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion. Unwanted pregnancies occur among women who have limited access to family planning and safe abortion. A legally restrictive setting for safe abortion services leads many women to unsafe abortion, which has consequences for them and their families. In-depth interviews were conducted with 485 Malawian stakeholders belonging to different political and social structures. Interviewees identified the impact of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion to be the greatest on young women. Premarital and extramarital pregnancies were highly stigmatized; stigma directly related to abortion was also found. Community-level discussions need to focus on reduction of stigma.
authors.affiliation: Ipas, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA. levandowskib@ipas.org
authors.forename: Brooke A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Levandowski
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kalilani-Phiri
authors.forename: Fannie
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kachale
authors.forename: Paschal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Awah
authors.forename: Godfrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kangaude
authors.forename: Chisale
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mhango
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D003267:Contraception; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D061214:Patient Safety; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000523:psychology*; D011639:Public Opinion; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult