EFFECT OF PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT ON ADOLESCENTS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE POST-ABORTION CARE IN RUIRU SUB-COUNTY, KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA

Caroline Nyandat^1*, Marios Kantaris²

¹ Kisumu medical and Education Trust

² Unicaf and Health Services and Social Policy Research Centre, Cyprus^.

Background

Adolescent girls are vulnerable to unsafe abortion due to their mental and intellectual development. The interpersonal and contextual influences that impact their sexual and behavioral health knowledge to access reproductive health services are critical (Schölmerich, 2016). Adolescents continue to report psychosocial needs before, during, and after abortion care; culture and economy have created barriers to accessing safe abortion and necessitate the need for psychosocial support (Okonofua, et al 2006).

Objectives

To determine the characteristics of adolescents seeking abortion services, establish a psychosocial support package provided to the adolescents procuring abortion, and  determine the outcome of the psychosocial support given to the adolescents who are procuring abortion

Design

Descriptive design deployed both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. The first phase involved data collection through key informant interviews. The second phase involved data collection using a structured questionnaire that were administered to adolescent girls who have terminated their pregnancy.

Methods

The study participants: were 18-19 years adolescent girls who had procured abortions and the service providers who provided abortion services drawn from the 6 wards in Ruiru Sub-County. In-depth Interviews were conducted with adolescent girls while the FGD was with the service providers. Both the qualitative and quantitative results were analyzed.

Results

126 adolescent girls were interviewed, and 6 pharmacists participated in an FGD. 76% of girls learned of abortion and psychosocial support care services from a community health volunteer, 18% from friends, 3% from pharmacists, and 1% from school, internet, and guardian. 78% were aware of chemists as to where to get the services, 19% at private clinics, and 3% at government facilities.

In 2020-2021 Service providers reported increased services after referrals by community health volunteers. Clients narrated that the counseling provided through service providers, community health volunteers, and toll-free numbers assisted during a ‘traumatizing situation’. before and after abortion.

Conclusion

Community members to be sensitized on safe abortion to reduce stigma. psychosocial support care is crucial to clients. More integrated service provision centers are to be established.