Lived experiences of women with spontaneous abortion at a district hospital, South Africa
Background: Spontaneous abortions occur in 12.5% of pregnancies and have a significant impact on the well-being of women. Dissatisfaction with health services is well-documented, but no studies have been conducted in district health services of the Western Cape. The aim was to explore the lived expe...
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| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2024-04-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5917 |
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| author | Marshall Lockett Robert J. Mash |
| author_facet | Marshall Lockett Robert J. Mash |
| author_sort | Marshall Lockett |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Spontaneous abortions occur in 12.5% of pregnancies and have a significant impact on the well-being of women. Dissatisfaction with health services is well-documented, but no studies have been conducted in district health services of the Western Cape. The aim was to explore the lived experiences of women presenting with spontaneous abortions to the emergency department at Helderberg Hospital.
Methods: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study used criterion-based purposive sampling to identify suitable participants. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews. Atlas-ti (version 22) software assisted with data analysis using the framework method.
Results: A total of nine participants were interviewed. There were four main themes: a supportive environment, staff attitudes and behaviour, the impact of time, and sharing of information. The comfort, cleanliness and privacy of the environment were important. COVID-19 had also impacted on this. Showing interest, demonstrating empathy and being nonjudgemental were important, as well as the waiting time for definitive treatment and the time needed to assimilate and accept the diagnosis. In addition, the ability to give relevant information, explain the diagnosis and help patients share in decision-making were key issues.
Conclusion: This study highlighted the need for a more person-centred approach and managers should focus on changes to organisational culture through training and clinical governance activities. Attention should be paid to the physical environment, availability of patient information materials and sequential coordination of care with primary care services.
Contribution: This study identifies issues that can improve person-centredness and women’s satisfaction with care for spontaneous abortion. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3e5fa9d4e2fa45e3a8fc09fa49838556 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-3e5fa9d4e2fa45e3a8fc09fa498385562025-08-20T04:03:12ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042024-04-01661e1e910.4102/safp.v66i1.59174417Lived experiences of women with spontaneous abortion at a district hospital, South AfricaMarshall Lockett0Robert J. Mash1Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape TownDivision of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape TownBackground: Spontaneous abortions occur in 12.5% of pregnancies and have a significant impact on the well-being of women. Dissatisfaction with health services is well-documented, but no studies have been conducted in district health services of the Western Cape. The aim was to explore the lived experiences of women presenting with spontaneous abortions to the emergency department at Helderberg Hospital. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study used criterion-based purposive sampling to identify suitable participants. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews. Atlas-ti (version 22) software assisted with data analysis using the framework method. Results: A total of nine participants were interviewed. There were four main themes: a supportive environment, staff attitudes and behaviour, the impact of time, and sharing of information. The comfort, cleanliness and privacy of the environment were important. COVID-19 had also impacted on this. Showing interest, demonstrating empathy and being nonjudgemental were important, as well as the waiting time for definitive treatment and the time needed to assimilate and accept the diagnosis. In addition, the ability to give relevant information, explain the diagnosis and help patients share in decision-making were key issues. Conclusion: This study highlighted the need for a more person-centred approach and managers should focus on changes to organisational culture through training and clinical governance activities. Attention should be paid to the physical environment, availability of patient information materials and sequential coordination of care with primary care services. Contribution: This study identifies issues that can improve person-centredness and women’s satisfaction with care for spontaneous abortion.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5917abortionmiscarriagepregnancypatient satisfactionquality of careperson-centredness |
| spellingShingle | Marshall Lockett Robert J. Mash Lived experiences of women with spontaneous abortion at a district hospital, South Africa South African Family Practice abortion miscarriage pregnancy patient satisfaction quality of care person-centredness |
| title | Lived experiences of women with spontaneous abortion at a district hospital, South Africa |
| title_full | Lived experiences of women with spontaneous abortion at a district hospital, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Lived experiences of women with spontaneous abortion at a district hospital, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lived experiences of women with spontaneous abortion at a district hospital, South Africa |
| title_short | Lived experiences of women with spontaneous abortion at a district hospital, South Africa |
| title_sort | lived experiences of women with spontaneous abortion at a district hospital south africa |
| topic | abortion miscarriage pregnancy patient satisfaction quality of care person-centredness |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5917 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marshalllockett livedexperiencesofwomenwithspontaneousabortionatadistricthospitalsouthafrica AT robertjmash livedexperiencesofwomenwithspontaneousabortionatadistricthospitalsouthafrica |