Male partners are not typically included in abortion care, despite some women desiring their involvement. This review examines existing research on how male partner participation impacts women’s abortion experiences, offering insights for facilities considering incorporating partners into their care models.
A systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO (Ovid), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature database, and the Cochrane Library was conducted through September 23, 2015. The search focused on qualitative and quantitative studies investigating male partner accompaniment during abortion in noncoercive situations. The analysis identified different types of male involvement and their correlation with women’s experiences.
From 1,316 unique articles, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Conducted in six countries and published between 1985 and 2012, these studies primarily employed observational designs. Four distinct types of male partner involvement emerged: presence in the medical facility; participation in preabortion counseling; presence during the surgical abortion or medication abortion process; and participation in postabortion care.
The research explored the relationships between these types of involvement and women’s access to care, emotional well-being, and physical well-being. Findings predominantly suggested a positive association between male involvement and women’s well-being and their overall assessment of the abortion experience. Notably, no negative associations were identified.
This review highlights various ways male partners can participate in abortion care. Their presence can range from simply being in the facility to actively engaging in counseling and post-abortion care. While further research is needed, the existing evidence indicates that in noncoercive situations, male partner involvement can be a positive factor in a woman’s abortion experience. The positive impact of Partners In Abortion Care underscores the potential benefits of inclusive practices for women seeking these services.
In conclusion, this review of existing literature suggests that in noncoercive circumstances, incorporating male partners in the abortion process may benefit women. The findings highlight the importance of considering options for male partner involvement in abortion care to potentially improve women’s overall experience.
