Ethical and legal dilemmas on termination of pregnancy: The Case of Ilu Aba Bora and Buno Bedelle Zones

Abstract Background Abortion is one of the most controversial issues in legal and ethical debates. Abortion is legally debated in light of the principles of criminal law. This usually involves competing arguments in favor of the fetus's "right" (i.e., personality) to be revived or in favor of the mother's right to have an abortion based on her own interests. Objectives The aim of the study was to explore ethical and legal dilemmas around abortion in the case of I/A/Bor and Bunno Bedelle Zone, South west Ethiopia. Methods A qualitative study design was chosen. Buno Bedelle and Ilu Abba Bora zone were especially chosen because of their familiarity with the area and their place of work. Three out of five hospitals in the study area were specially selected, namely Bedelle Hospital, Mettu karl Hospital and Darimu Hospital. Twenty-five abortion service providers from selected hospitals participated in the study. We analyzed the qualitative data using thematic methods. The researchers triangulated primary data with secondary data obtained through key informant interviews and systematic observations to maximize the reliability and validity of their results. Finally, the categories were transformed into generalized descriptions of the most common dilemmas, judgments and considerations that emerged from the material. Results Data from the study areas indicate that societal views on abortion are heterogeneous, reflecting a range of attitudes ranging from outright anti-abortion to more pro-choice positions, with differences between rural and urban areas. In this regard, the majority of health care professionals recognize that unsafe abortion is a serious health problem. Health-care providers who practiced safe abortion were more likely to have positive attitudes toward safe abortion than those who did not. Similarly, providers who knew abortion laws were more likely to have such positive attitudes than those who lacked this knowledge, training is essential to reduce maternal mortality. Conclusions Data from the study area indicate that health professionals report conflicting concerns, burdensome responsibilities, and ambiguity related to the interpretation and enforcement of the law when working in situations where the law readily opens doors to women seeking abortion.