Abstract

Background: Unsafe abortions are performed in countries where abortions are illegal. Preventing unsafe abortions is one of the easiest ways to improve women's health. Gaining an understanding of the perceptions of physicians to illegal abortions can be used to recommend policy changes that can positively impact on women's health. Objectives: To determine Grenadian physicians' perceptions on the prevalence of illegal abortions in Grenada, determine which complications from unsafe abortions are perceived to most negatively impact on Grenadian women's health, and determine what measures can be taken to prevent unsafe abortions from taking place. Methods: Using an online survey questionnaire, physician perceptions on the prevalence of illegal abortions in Grenada were ascertained as well as determine what they thought were the impacts such unsafe abortions were having on women's health. Results: Out of 75 physicians registered and licensed to practice medicine in Grenada, 44 (59%) consented to take the online survey. Of these 44 participating physicians, 91% stated that they believed illegal abortions were taking place in Grenada with 66% reporting that they personally knew of illegal abortions cases. Bleeding, infection, and uterine perforation were identified as the three main complications arising from botched abortion procedures. The top three solutions proposed by physicians to curtail illegal abortions in Grenada were health education (91%), encouraging the use of modern contraceptives (77%), and the provision of legalized abortion services (52%). Conclusions: Implementation of sexual health education program to both the general public and kids in high school would garner the greatest support from Grenadian physicians as a potential solution to reducing the high prevalence of illegal abortions allegedly taking place in Grenada.

Authors and Affiliations