Nurses decision-making in termination of pregnancy services at health care facilities in the Western Cape

• Main Author: Röhrs, Stefanie
• Other Authors: Moult, Kelley
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Public Health
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9427

Includes bibliographical references. === Using the theory of "street-level bureaucrats" , this thesis examines the implementation of the South African Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act by exploring nurses' decision-making in termination of pregnancy services. As front-line providers, nurses play a critical role in the implementation of termination of pregnancy services. Nurses may be required to assist in informing, preparing or counselling women who request a termination of pregnancy and, if appropriately trained, nurses can perform terminations of pregnancy. Research suggests, however, that 15 years after the promulgation of the law, nurses continue to be reluctant to participate in termination of pregnancy services thereby undermining the successful implementation of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act.