Induced abortion in rural Cebu: A study of selected traditional abortion practitioners

• Main Author: Canete, Aloysius Mariae L.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1995
• Subjects: Abortion > Philippines > Cebu; Folk medicine; Medicine, Rural; Public health
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/6759
• Institution: De La Salle University

Contrary to the popular belief that traditional abortion practitioners (TAPs) are difficult to identify, this study is able to identify and interview a total of 31 TAPs in rural Cebu.The results describe their socio-demographic characteristics as well as the socio-demographic background of their clients the way former perceived the latter the abortion methods they employed and their skills acquisition and the post-abortion complications they encountered.The TAPs have a particular subgroup of the population. Their socio-economic profile runs parallel with those of their clients. Their two most common methods used to terminate pregnancy were abdominal massage and herbal decoction. However, there were those who used a combination of these methods.Without any formal training whatsoever, their abortion practices were taught to them by the elders in their family or by any kinship members of the family. In terms of abortion ill-health consequences, there were practitioners whose clients experienced post-abortion complications and those who did not. It is important to note that although similar methods were used, they differed in their techniques of applications. In addition to this, age of gestation determines the risk of post-abortion complications the woman-abortee faces.Representative case studies elucidate this.