Table 1 Themes and sub-themes extracted from Iranian women's perceptions regarding the reasons for illegal abortion
From: Reasons for unsafe abortion in Iran after pronatalist policy changes: a qualitative study
Themes | Subthemes | The number of instances each subtheme came up during the interviews (n = 46) |
|---|---|---|
Financial hardship and uncertainty about the future | Lack of Basic Necessities and Comforts of Life | 14 |
Spousal Unemployment and Job Insecurity | 11 and 4 | |
Fears for the Child’s Future | 9 | |
Pursuit of a prosperous life | Welfare in childlessness or only child | 5 |
Individual self-actualization | 7 | |
Unstable marital relationship | Wrong Choice of Marriage | 12 |
Early Married Life | 6 | |
Temporary Marriage | 5 | |
Health and fertility issues | Short Interpregnancy Intervals | 6 |
Unplanned Pregnancy | 13 | |
Negative Childbirth Experience | 4 | |
Fear of Fetal Anomaly | 9 | |
Unhealthy Women or Men | 7 | |
Cultural factors | Stigma of Having Children at an Older Age | 7 |
Illegitimate Pregnancy | 9 | |
Gender-Based Norms (Preference for Sons over Daughters) | 6 |