The Success of Support for Unplanned Pregnant Women in Accessing Safe Abortion Services Provided by Option Counselors

Abstract

This survey research aimed to study the situation and factors influencing the success of support for unplanned pregnant women in accessing safe abortion services provided by option counselors. Data were collected from 246 option counselors using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using Descriptive Statistics, Chi-Square Test, and Stepwise Multiple Logistic Regression. The results showed that 83.3% of the sample achieved success in supporting unplanned pregnant women in accessing safe abortion services. Factors significantly related to the success of support for unplanned pregnant women in accessing safe abortion services included type of service for unplanned pregnant women (p < 0.001), experience of referring unplanned pregnant women to other service facilities (p < 0.001), perceived support at the individual level (p < 0.001), perceived support at the interpersonal level (p < 0.001), perceived support at the organizational level (p < 0.001), perceived support at the community level (p < 0.001), and perceived support at the policy level (p < 0.001). The factors that could jointly predict success in supporting unplanned pregnant women in accessing safe abortion services included perceived support at the policy level (AOR = 9.24, 95% CI: 3.61–23.67, p < 0.001), perceived support at the individual level (AOR = 8.47, 95% CI: 3.52–20.37, p < 0.001), and experience of referring unplanned pregnant women to other service facilities (AOR = 4.51, 95% CI: 1.71–11.92, p = 0.002). The Ministry of Public Health and relevant agencies should develop clear policies and practical guidelines regarding option counseling and safe abortion services in all public health facilities, strengthen the capacity of option counselors, and enhance an efficient referral system to increase opportunities for unplanned pregnant women to access safe abortion services comprehensively and equitably.