Beliefs and practices surrounding induced abortions among adults in rural Haryana, India: a qualitative study

Background: We conducted this qualitative study to explore the beliefs, practices and the decision-making pathway of the actual stakeholders and decision-makers of the community. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in a village in Ballabgarh block in Faridabad district of Haryana. Data were generated through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) using interview guide. We conducted six FGDs with reproductive age married females, married adult males, and accredited social health activists (ASHA). IDIs were conducted with selected ASHAs, Sarpanch (village council head), multi-purpose health worker (MPW), medical officer, private pharmacist of the village, gynecologist of sub-district hospital and an officer from pre-conception and pre-natal diagnostic techniques department of the district. All the FGDs and IDIs were audio recorded and were transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was done after free listing of the transcription was done. Results: We generated three themes which were: beliefs surrounding induced abortions, reasons and practices for induced abortion, and facilitators and barriers for safe abortions. Abortions were considered a sin in the community, if not medically indicated. Larger family size, unplanned pregnancies and sex selectivity were the most common reasons to opt for an abortion Both traditional and modern methods of abortion were prevalent in the community. The husband and mother-in-law of most women possess the decision-making power in the context of opting for abortions. Conclusions: Abortion was considered as a sin in the community, except if done for a congenital anomaly of fetus. The decision makers for elective abortions were husband and mother-in-law.