Exploring Congolese refugees' experiences with abortion care in Uganda: a multi-methods qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Reproductive Health
• Forced Migration Studies

Background:

• Uganda hosts 1.4 million refugees, with policies promoting integration.
• Despite this, displaced women face unmet sexual and reproductive health needs, particularly concerning abortion access.
• Legal restrictions on abortion in Uganda conflict with the needs of displaced populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the reproductive health needs of displaced Congolese women in Uganda.
• To examine maternal health, contraception, and abortion/post-abortion services.
• To understand the intersection of these needs with sexual and gender-based violence.

Main Methods:

• A multi-methods study was conducted in 2017 involving key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews.
• Participants included displaced Congolese women of reproductive age in camp- and urban-based settings.
• Data analysis employed inductive and deductive techniques with a multi-phased plan for theme identification and interpretation.

Main Results:

• Congolese refugees in Uganda encounter significant barriers navigating legal abortion restrictions.
• Unsafe abortion practices are prevalent among displaced women in both camp and urban settings.
• Legal restrictions impede the provision of essential post-abortion care services.

Conclusions:

• Legal restrictions on induced abortion in Uganda create barriers to accessing necessary post-abortion care.
• There is a critical need to prioritize access to comprehensive abortion care for displaced populations.
• Providing information and support for women requiring post-abortion care is imperative.