BACKGROUND
Abortion is one of the most common procedures worldwide. Despite this, access to abortion on demand is restricted in many countries, including Poland. As a result, many women undergo the procedure without medical supervision, exposing themselves to potential health consequences.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to qualitatively identify the themes present in abortion forums to analyze the problems faced by women. The forums were then quantitatively analyzed to determine which issues are potentially the most prevalent.
METHODS
The most popular forums on abortion were determined. An initial pilot study was conducted for qualitative analysis, followed by a manual quantitative investigation.
RESULTS
Analyzing 13,397 responses from 370 threads on four forums revealed "Abortion Process Progression" as the most discussed theme, signaling a high demand for information and support. "Emotional and Psychological Aspects" and "Medical and Pharmacological Aspects" were also significant, indicating a need for holistic care.
CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the critical need for information and support for women navigating abortion, particularly where access is restricted. It calls for addressing multifaceted challenges and promoting policy changes and support networks to enhance women's health and rights in abortion contexts. Further research is encouraged to refine support strategies.