Qualitative Study Explores Reasons Behind Induced Abortion in Fasa County, Iran

Economic despair, social isolation, and limited access to safe services drive induced abortions in Fasa County, Iran, according to a qualitative content analysis study published in BMC Public Health. The investigation revealed an overarching qualitative pattern designated as Hidden Narratives of Induced Abortion, drawing directly on dual-perspective qualitative data collected from married women who had undergone the procedure alongside local healthcare providers.

Conducted in Fasa County between June 2025 and January 2026 following ethics approval, the study sought to examine local drivers of termination in smaller cities and rural settings where in-depth data remain scarce despite national policies aimed at increasing fertility rates. The investigators employed conventional qualitative content analysis guided by the Graneheim and Lundman method, selecting participants through purposive sampling with maximum diversity to capture varied experiences across the county.

The study cohort comprised 13 participants, divided between seven married women aged 15 to 45 at the time of abortion who were at least 20 years old at interview and six key informant healthcare professionals, including midwives, obstetricians, and gynecologists. Data were gathered through semi-structured in-depth interviews in private settings until reaching saturation, followed by verbatim transcription, semantic unit identification, open coding, categorization, and theme development, with methodological validity supported by Lincoln and Guba criteria.

Analysis established five central themes under the overarching narrative framework. The first theme, economic and social pressures toward abortion, encompassed acute economic hardship, family instability, and an absence of social support. The second theme, informal and unsafe pathways to abortion, described participants navigating clandestine providers, informal guidance, and internet resources while coping with fear of social stigma.

The third theme, physical and psychological consequences, encompassed bodily complications, acute psychological distress, and deep regret. The fourth theme, missed opportunities, underscored a prevailing lack of reproductive education alongside weakened religious beliefs, while the fifth theme, non-judgmental care and respect, highlighted the necessity of respectful clinical environments that recognize individual personhood.

The researchers concluded that the clandestine and illegal nature of induced abortion in Fasa County exposes women to severe physical and psychological harms. Mitigating these risks within the local context may require comprehensive reproductive health education, non-judgmental counseling, enhanced family support structures, and policy interventions aimed at socioeconomic vulnerabilities, though the authors emphasized that the findings reflect the specific sociocultural environment of Fasa County and require caution before extrapolation to other settings.

Subject of Research: Qualitative analysis of reasons for induced abortion in Fasa County, Iran

Article Title: Explaining the reasons for induced abortion in Fasa County, Iran: a qualitative content analysis study

Article References: Bozorgian, L., Nourimand, F., & Seifzadeh, S. (2026). Explaining the reasons for induced abortion in Fasa County, Iran: a qualitative content analysis study. BMC Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-30217-y

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-026-30217-y

Keywords: induced abortion, qualitative research, Fasa County, Iran, reproductive health, healthcare providers, content analysis, public health, Explaining, reasons, induced, abortion