Post-abortion Learning Needs as Perceived by Women Attending Cairo University Hospital: Suggested Plan of Action

Background: Understanding the learning needs of women who have had an abortion is essential for improving their quality of life and ensuring their reproductive rights. Aim: the current study was conducted to explore post-abortion learning needs as perceived by women attending Cairo University Hospital and design a suggested plan of action. Design: a descriptive exploratory research design was adopted. Sample: A purposive sample of 174 women who have had an abortion was recruited for the research over four months. Setting: postpartum unit at obstetrics and gynecology at Cairo University Hospital. Tools: two tools were used; 1) a structured interviewing questionnaire, and 2) a post-abortion learning needs assessment tool. Results: the mean age of women who have had an abortion was 22.5±4.1years with 45.5% ranging from 20-25 years. psychological needs were considered the most urgent, as 75.3% of individuals rated them high, while nearly three-quarters reported moderate needs in both physical (74.1%) and social (74.7%). Conclusion: psychological needs were the most pressing, while physical and social needs were generally less important. Recommendation: Designing targeted and integrated programs that meet the needs of women who have had an abortion, especially in the aspects of psychological support, health education, and psychological stress management.
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