Experiences of stigma amongst healthcare professionals working in abortion care: a global survey

Introduction Abortion-related stigma negatively affects healthcare professionals providing abortion care, threatening workforce well-being and service provision. This global study, part of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ ‘Making Abortion Safe’ Project, explored healthcare providers' experiences of abortion stigma, its drivers and mitigating factors. Methods A global online survey was distributed to healthcare professionals trained to provide abortion and post-abortion care (PAC) through 16 partner organisations over a 6-week period in 2021. The Abortion Provider Stigma Scale (APSS) was adapted, and linear regression modelling was used to examine the relationships between demographic variables, attitudes towards abortion, workplace burnout and total APSS scores. Results In 1674 providers from 77 countries, stigma was universally experienced. Higher stigma levels were associated with countries with restrictive abortion laws; working in non-governmental organisation settings; and providing first- and second-trimester abortions compared with only PAC. A large majority (84%) of providers reported feeling burnout to some degree, with a strong correlation between APSS scores and workplace burnout. Providers exposed to both values clarification and attitude transformation (VCAT) training and other support workshops reported more positive attitudes and lower stigma compared with those with only VCAT or no training. Conclusions Legal reform is needed to reduce stigma for providers as part of broader initiatives on women’s reproductive rights in general. Meanwhile, ongoing support at the organisational level, alongside addressing stigmatising values and attitudes, can help create positive workplaces and resilient providers. Mainstreaming and integrating abortion services into public health systems would also help normalise abortion care.