Contemplating abortion: a qualitative study of men and women’s reactions to unplanned pregnancy in Sierra Leone

Globally, millions of unintended pregnancies result in unsafe abortions each year. In Sierra Leone, abortion-related complications are a major driver of maternal mortality. Despite these costs, women continue to seek unsafe abortions, yet how individuals understand the risks and benefits of pregnancy termination remains under-researched. This study seeks to understand perceptions of abortion by women and men experiencing unplanned pregnancy and to highlight factors that inform their abortion trajectories. Findings indicate that abortion was contemplated in response to anxieties regarding caring for a child, interruptions to schooling, and stigma associated with extra-marital pregnancy. While many women and men preferred not to abort-due to cultural values tied to parenthood-others faced obstacles stemming from lack of knowledge of and access to services. Findings can be used to inform interventions to support women and men in realising their fertility preferences in the face of unplanned pregnancy.