A mixed-methods study exploring women’s perceptions of terminology surrounding fertility and menstrual regulation in Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC
Abstract
Women use various terms when discussing the management of their fertility and menstrual irregularities and may interpret the experience of ending a possible pregnancy in nuanced ways, especially when their pregnancy status is ambiguous. Our study aims to understand the terminology used to refer to abortion-like experiences
(specifcally menstrual regulation and pregnancy removal), and the specifc scenarios that these practices encompass
among women who reported doing something to bring back a late period or ending a pregnancy in Nigeria and
Côte d’Ivoire.Our analysis draws upon surveys with women in Nigeria (n=1114) and Cote d’Ivoire (n=352). We also
draw upon qualitative in-depth interviews with a subset of survey respondents in Anambra and Kaduna States
in Nigeria, and Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (n=30 in both countries). We examine survey and interview questions that
explored women’s knowledge of terminology pertaining to ending a pregnancy or bringing back a late period. Survey
data were analyzed descriptively and weighted, and interview data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
Description
Keywords
Menstrual regulation, Period regulation, Pregnancy termination, Abortion, Fertility, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria
Citation
Sheehy, G. et al. (2021). A mixed-methods study exploring women’s perceptions of terminology surrounding fertility and menstrual regulation in Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. Reproductive Health, 18(1),251. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01306-5