Strong leadership, analytical, highly organized and excellent communication skills as well as professional and interpersonal skills with developed critical thinking and Decision making skills. Extensive experience in leading and managing monitoring, evaluation and research programs across sub-Saharan Africa. Solid program management skills including establishing and supporting effective partnerships and collaborations at community, national and regional levels. I have extensive experience in East and Central Africa Region in the field of Monitoring and Evaluation of health programs, and a unique mix of management skills, with work in public health, child health, sexual reproductive health –(Abortion Stigma,HIV/AIDS, family planning, adolescence sexual reproductive health, information education and communication and behavior change communication), strategic planning, research and health systems Management. He has a comprehensive understanding of health systems issues and challenges in East and Central Africa. Erick has demonstrated advanced knowledge in use of statistical software’s(STATA, EPI INFO, and R) and application of statistical models in the field of population and health research techniques including survey designs and data collection, management analysis and report writing.
Post-abortion care (PAC) integrates elements of care that are vital for women’s survival after ab... more Post-abortion care (PAC) integrates elements of care that are vital for women’s survival after abortion complications with intervention components that aid women in controlling their fertility, and provides an optimal window of opportunity to help women meet their family planning goals. Yet, incorporating quality family planning services remains a shortcoming of PAC services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This paper presents evidence from a mixed method study conducted in Tanzania that aimed at explaining factors that contribute to this challenge. Analysis of data obtained through client exit interviews quantified the level of unmet need for contraception among PAC clients and isolated the factors associated with post-abortion contraceptive uptake. Qualitative data analysis of interviews with a subset of these women explored the multi-level context in which post-abortion pregnancy intentions and contraceptive behaviours are formed. Approximately 30% of women inte...
Introduction: the rate of unsafe abortions in Kenya has increased from 32 per 1000 women of repr... more Introduction: the rate of unsafe abortions in Kenya has increased from 32 per 1000 women of reproductive age in 2002 to 48 per 1000 women in 2012. This is one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2010, Kenya changed its Constitution to include a more enabling provision regarding the provision of abortion services. Abortion-related stigma has been identified as a key driver in silencing women's ability to reproductive choice leading to seeking to unsafe abortion. We sought to explore abortion-related stigma at the community level as a barrier to women realizing their rights to a safe, legal abortion and compare manifestations of abortion stigma at two communities from regions with high and low incidence of unsafe abortion.
Methods: a qualitative study using 26 focus group discussions with general community members in Machakos and Trans Nzoia Counties. We used thematic and content analysis to analyze and compare community member's responses regarding abortion-related stigma.
Results: although abortion is recognized as being very common within communities, community members expressed various ways that stigmatize women seeking an abortion. This included being labeled as killers and are perceived to be a bad influence for women especially young women. Women reported that they were poorly treated by health providers in health facilities for seeking abortion especially young unmarried women. Institutionalization of stigma especially when Ministry of Health withdrew of standards and guidelines only heightened how stigma presents at the facilities and drives women seeking an abortion to traditional birth attendants who offer unsafe abortions leading to increased morbidity and mortality as a result of abortion-related complications.
Conclusion: community members located in counties in regions with high incidence of unsafe abortion also reported higher levels of how they would stigmatize a woman seeking an abortion compared to community members from counties in low incidence region. Young unmarried women bore the brunt of being stigmatized. They reported alack of asupportive environment that provides guidance on correct information on how to prevent unwanted pregnancy and where to get help. Abortion-related stigma plays a major role in women's decision on whether to have a safe or unsafe abortion.
Objectives: To compare the levels of abortion stigma in regions with high and low incidence of un... more Objectives: To compare the levels of abortion stigma in regions with high and low incidence of unsafe abortion in Kenya to explore whether abortion‑related stigma is associated with incidence of unsafe abortion. Study Design: A cross‑sectional survey of 759 women receiving abortion services in private and public health facilities in two counties located in regions with high and low incidence of unsafe abortion regions of Kenya. Results: Of the total respondents, 424 sought postabortion care (PAC), whereas 335 sought induced abortion. Factor analysis revealed a four‑factor model for examining individual‑level stigma related to seeking an abortion. The mean of stigma scores for women in a Trans Nzoia was higher than in Machakos. (49.82 compared to 47.58, P < 0.001). In the combined sample, respondents seeking PAC reported higher stigma scores compared to those seeking induced abortion. For the overall scale and subscales, stigma reduced with increases in the age of respondents (b = −7.7, P < 0.001 for 25–34 years and b = −4.6, P < 0.001 for 35–49 years). Regression analysis showed that stigma decreased in the county with low incidence of unsafe abortion on interaction between with type of abortion service. Conclusions: Respondents from a county with higher incidence of unsafe abortion reported higher stigma scores compared to those from a county with lower incidence of unsafe abortion. Age, marital status, type of abortion service, and socioeconomic status of respondents were all significantly associated with stigmatizing attitudes across the stigma scale’s subscales. Young unmarried women, women who received PAC low socioeconomic background, and married women reported higher stigma scores.
Background: Abortion accounts for 35% of maternal mortality in Kenya. Kenya has reported an incre... more Background: Abortion accounts for 35% of maternal mortality in Kenya. Kenya has reported an increase in the rate of unsafe abortions from 32 to 48 per 1000 women of reproductive age in 2002 and 2012 respectively. During the same period, women presented in public health facilities with severe complications indicating that women were having unsafe abortions. Objective: To investigate the association between incidences of unsafe abortion and stigma attitudes and beliefs about abortion among community member’s in two counties located in regions with either high or low incidences of unsafe abortion. Design: A cross-sectional comparative study. Settings: General community members in Trans Nzoia and Machakos Counties. Subjects: Men and women of reproductive age in Trans Nzoia and Machakos Counties. Results: Respondents in Trans Nzoia County reported the highest full-scale abortion stigma levels (μ=55.4) compared to those from Machakos County (μ=53.07). The mean differences in SABAS scores for all the four subscales were significant for fear of contagion, exclusion and discrimination and Negative stereotyping (p-value <0.000). Incidence region, educational attainment and marital status were all significantly associated with stigmatising attitudes. Respondents in the 35-49 age group showed more stigmatising attitudes than younger respondents, and married individuals showed more stigmatising attitudes than single respondents, and lower education levels were associated with higher levels of stigma. Conclusions: Mean stigma scores for counties with high incidence of unsafe abortions were higher than those from regions with a low incidences of unsafe abortion. Male community members, those with lower levels of education were more likely to report higher levels of stigma at the community level. The majority of women seeking abortion were viewed negatively by general community members, and this could explain women’s decision to seek an unsafe abortion.
Post-abortion care (PAC) integrates elements of care that are vital for women’s survival after ab... more Post-abortion care (PAC) integrates elements of care that are vital for women’s survival after abortion complications with intervention components that aid women in controlling their fertility, and provides an optimal window of opportunity to help women meet their family planning goals. Yet, incorporating quality family planning services remains a shortcoming of PAC services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This paper presents evidence from a mixed method study conducted in Tanzania that aimed at explaining factors that contribute to this challenge. Analysis of data obtained through client exit interviews quantified the level of unmet need for contraception among PAC clients and isolated the factors associated with post-abortion contraceptive uptake. Qualitative data analysis of interviews with a subset of these women explored the multi-level context in which post-abortion pregnancy intentions and contraceptive behaviours are formed. Approximately 30% of women inte...
Introduction: the rate of unsafe abortions in Kenya has increased from 32 per 1000 women of repr... more Introduction: the rate of unsafe abortions in Kenya has increased from 32 per 1000 women of reproductive age in 2002 to 48 per 1000 women in 2012. This is one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2010, Kenya changed its Constitution to include a more enabling provision regarding the provision of abortion services. Abortion-related stigma has been identified as a key driver in silencing women's ability to reproductive choice leading to seeking to unsafe abortion. We sought to explore abortion-related stigma at the community level as a barrier to women realizing their rights to a safe, legal abortion and compare manifestations of abortion stigma at two communities from regions with high and low incidence of unsafe abortion.
Methods: a qualitative study using 26 focus group discussions with general community members in Machakos and Trans Nzoia Counties. We used thematic and content analysis to analyze and compare community member's responses regarding abortion-related stigma.
Results: although abortion is recognized as being very common within communities, community members expressed various ways that stigmatize women seeking an abortion. This included being labeled as killers and are perceived to be a bad influence for women especially young women. Women reported that they were poorly treated by health providers in health facilities for seeking abortion especially young unmarried women. Institutionalization of stigma especially when Ministry of Health withdrew of standards and guidelines only heightened how stigma presents at the facilities and drives women seeking an abortion to traditional birth attendants who offer unsafe abortions leading to increased morbidity and mortality as a result of abortion-related complications.
Conclusion: community members located in counties in regions with high incidence of unsafe abortion also reported higher levels of how they would stigmatize a woman seeking an abortion compared to community members from counties in low incidence region. Young unmarried women bore the brunt of being stigmatized. They reported alack of asupportive environment that provides guidance on correct information on how to prevent unwanted pregnancy and where to get help. Abortion-related stigma plays a major role in women's decision on whether to have a safe or unsafe abortion.
Objectives: To compare the levels of abortion stigma in regions with high and low incidence of un... more Objectives: To compare the levels of abortion stigma in regions with high and low incidence of unsafe abortion in Kenya to explore whether abortion‑related stigma is associated with incidence of unsafe abortion. Study Design: A cross‑sectional survey of 759 women receiving abortion services in private and public health facilities in two counties located in regions with high and low incidence of unsafe abortion regions of Kenya. Results: Of the total respondents, 424 sought postabortion care (PAC), whereas 335 sought induced abortion. Factor analysis revealed a four‑factor model for examining individual‑level stigma related to seeking an abortion. The mean of stigma scores for women in a Trans Nzoia was higher than in Machakos. (49.82 compared to 47.58, P < 0.001). In the combined sample, respondents seeking PAC reported higher stigma scores compared to those seeking induced abortion. For the overall scale and subscales, stigma reduced with increases in the age of respondents (b = −7.7, P < 0.001 for 25–34 years and b = −4.6, P < 0.001 for 35–49 years). Regression analysis showed that stigma decreased in the county with low incidence of unsafe abortion on interaction between with type of abortion service. Conclusions: Respondents from a county with higher incidence of unsafe abortion reported higher stigma scores compared to those from a county with lower incidence of unsafe abortion. Age, marital status, type of abortion service, and socioeconomic status of respondents were all significantly associated with stigmatizing attitudes across the stigma scale’s subscales. Young unmarried women, women who received PAC low socioeconomic background, and married women reported higher stigma scores.
Background: Abortion accounts for 35% of maternal mortality in Kenya. Kenya has reported an incre... more Background: Abortion accounts for 35% of maternal mortality in Kenya. Kenya has reported an increase in the rate of unsafe abortions from 32 to 48 per 1000 women of reproductive age in 2002 and 2012 respectively. During the same period, women presented in public health facilities with severe complications indicating that women were having unsafe abortions. Objective: To investigate the association between incidences of unsafe abortion and stigma attitudes and beliefs about abortion among community member’s in two counties located in regions with either high or low incidences of unsafe abortion. Design: A cross-sectional comparative study. Settings: General community members in Trans Nzoia and Machakos Counties. Subjects: Men and women of reproductive age in Trans Nzoia and Machakos Counties. Results: Respondents in Trans Nzoia County reported the highest full-scale abortion stigma levels (μ=55.4) compared to those from Machakos County (μ=53.07). The mean differences in SABAS scores for all the four subscales were significant for fear of contagion, exclusion and discrimination and Negative stereotyping (p-value <0.000). Incidence region, educational attainment and marital status were all significantly associated with stigmatising attitudes. Respondents in the 35-49 age group showed more stigmatising attitudes than younger respondents, and married individuals showed more stigmatising attitudes than single respondents, and lower education levels were associated with higher levels of stigma. Conclusions: Mean stigma scores for counties with high incidence of unsafe abortions were higher than those from regions with a low incidences of unsafe abortion. Male community members, those with lower levels of education were more likely to report higher levels of stigma at the community level. The majority of women seeking abortion were viewed negatively by general community members, and this could explain women’s decision to seek an unsafe abortion.
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Papers by Erick Yegon
Methods: a qualitative study using 26 focus group discussions with general community members in Machakos and Trans Nzoia Counties. We used thematic and content analysis to analyze and compare community member's responses regarding abortion-related stigma.
Results: although abortion is recognized as being very common within communities, community members expressed various ways that stigmatize women seeking an abortion. This included being labeled as killers and are perceived to be a bad influence for women especially young women. Women reported that they were poorly treated by health providers in health facilities for seeking abortion especially young unmarried women. Institutionalization of stigma especially when Ministry of Health withdrew of standards and guidelines only heightened how stigma presents at the facilities and drives women seeking an abortion to traditional birth attendants who offer unsafe abortions leading to increased morbidity and mortality as a result of abortion-related complications.
Conclusion: community members located in counties in regions with high incidence of unsafe abortion also reported higher levels of how they would stigmatize a woman seeking an abortion compared to community members from counties in low incidence region. Young unmarried women bore the brunt of being stigmatized. They reported alack of asupportive environment that provides guidance on correct information on how to prevent unwanted pregnancy and where to get help. Abortion-related stigma plays a major role in women's decision on whether to have a safe or unsafe abortion.
abortion in Kenya to explore whether abortion‑related stigma is associated with incidence of unsafe abortion.
Study Design: A cross‑sectional survey of 759 women receiving abortion services in private and public health
facilities in two counties located in regions with high and low incidence of unsafe abortion regions of Kenya.
Results: Of the total respondents, 424 sought postabortion care (PAC), whereas 335 sought induced abortion.
Factor analysis revealed a four‑factor model for examining individual‑level stigma related to seeking an abortion.
The mean of stigma scores for women in a Trans Nzoia was higher than in Machakos. (49.82 compared to 47.58,
P < 0.001). In the combined sample, respondents seeking PAC reported higher stigma scores compared to
those seeking induced abortion. For the overall scale and subscales, stigma reduced with increases in the age of
respondents (b = −7.7, P < 0.001 for 25–34 years and b = −4.6, P < 0.001 for 35–49 years). Regression analysis
showed that stigma decreased in the county with low incidence of unsafe abortion on interaction between with
type of abortion service. Conclusions: Respondents from a county with higher incidence of unsafe abortion
reported higher stigma scores compared to those from a county with lower incidence of unsafe abortion. Age,
marital status, type of abortion service, and socioeconomic status of respondents were all significantly associated
with stigmatizing attitudes across the stigma scale’s subscales. Young unmarried women, women who received
PAC low socioeconomic background, and married women reported higher stigma scores.
Objective: To investigate the association between incidences of unsafe abortion and stigma attitudes and beliefs about abortion among community member’s in two counties located in regions with either high or low incidences of unsafe abortion.
Design: A cross-sectional comparative study.
Settings: General community members in Trans Nzoia and Machakos Counties.
Subjects: Men and women of reproductive age in Trans Nzoia and Machakos Counties.
Results: Respondents in Trans Nzoia County reported the highest full-scale abortion stigma levels (μ=55.4) compared to those from Machakos County (μ=53.07). The mean differences in SABAS scores for all the four subscales were significant for fear of contagion, exclusion and discrimination and Negative stereotyping (p-value <0.000). Incidence region, educational attainment and marital status were all significantly associated with stigmatising attitudes. Respondents in the 35-49 age group showed more stigmatising attitudes than younger respondents, and married individuals showed more stigmatising attitudes than single respondents, and lower education levels were associated with higher levels of stigma.
Conclusions: Mean stigma scores for counties with high incidence of unsafe abortions were higher than those from regions with a low incidences of unsafe abortion. Male community members, those with lower levels of education were more likely to report higher levels of stigma at the community level. The majority of women seeking abortion were viewed negatively by general community members, and this could explain women’s decision to seek an unsafe abortion.
Methods: a qualitative study using 26 focus group discussions with general community members in Machakos and Trans Nzoia Counties. We used thematic and content analysis to analyze and compare community member's responses regarding abortion-related stigma.
Results: although abortion is recognized as being very common within communities, community members expressed various ways that stigmatize women seeking an abortion. This included being labeled as killers and are perceived to be a bad influence for women especially young women. Women reported that they were poorly treated by health providers in health facilities for seeking abortion especially young unmarried women. Institutionalization of stigma especially when Ministry of Health withdrew of standards and guidelines only heightened how stigma presents at the facilities and drives women seeking an abortion to traditional birth attendants who offer unsafe abortions leading to increased morbidity and mortality as a result of abortion-related complications.
Conclusion: community members located in counties in regions with high incidence of unsafe abortion also reported higher levels of how they would stigmatize a woman seeking an abortion compared to community members from counties in low incidence region. Young unmarried women bore the brunt of being stigmatized. They reported alack of asupportive environment that provides guidance on correct information on how to prevent unwanted pregnancy and where to get help. Abortion-related stigma plays a major role in women's decision on whether to have a safe or unsafe abortion.
abortion in Kenya to explore whether abortion‑related stigma is associated with incidence of unsafe abortion.
Study Design: A cross‑sectional survey of 759 women receiving abortion services in private and public health
facilities in two counties located in regions with high and low incidence of unsafe abortion regions of Kenya.
Results: Of the total respondents, 424 sought postabortion care (PAC), whereas 335 sought induced abortion.
Factor analysis revealed a four‑factor model for examining individual‑level stigma related to seeking an abortion.
The mean of stigma scores for women in a Trans Nzoia was higher than in Machakos. (49.82 compared to 47.58,
P < 0.001). In the combined sample, respondents seeking PAC reported higher stigma scores compared to
those seeking induced abortion. For the overall scale and subscales, stigma reduced with increases in the age of
respondents (b = −7.7, P < 0.001 for 25–34 years and b = −4.6, P < 0.001 for 35–49 years). Regression analysis
showed that stigma decreased in the county with low incidence of unsafe abortion on interaction between with
type of abortion service. Conclusions: Respondents from a county with higher incidence of unsafe abortion
reported higher stigma scores compared to those from a county with lower incidence of unsafe abortion. Age,
marital status, type of abortion service, and socioeconomic status of respondents were all significantly associated
with stigmatizing attitudes across the stigma scale’s subscales. Young unmarried women, women who received
PAC low socioeconomic background, and married women reported higher stigma scores.
Objective: To investigate the association between incidences of unsafe abortion and stigma attitudes and beliefs about abortion among community member’s in two counties located in regions with either high or low incidences of unsafe abortion.
Design: A cross-sectional comparative study.
Settings: General community members in Trans Nzoia and Machakos Counties.
Subjects: Men and women of reproductive age in Trans Nzoia and Machakos Counties.
Results: Respondents in Trans Nzoia County reported the highest full-scale abortion stigma levels (μ=55.4) compared to those from Machakos County (μ=53.07). The mean differences in SABAS scores for all the four subscales were significant for fear of contagion, exclusion and discrimination and Negative stereotyping (p-value <0.000). Incidence region, educational attainment and marital status were all significantly associated with stigmatising attitudes. Respondents in the 35-49 age group showed more stigmatising attitudes than younger respondents, and married individuals showed more stigmatising attitudes than single respondents, and lower education levels were associated with higher levels of stigma.
Conclusions: Mean stigma scores for counties with high incidence of unsafe abortions were higher than those from regions with a low incidences of unsafe abortion. Male community members, those with lower levels of education were more likely to report higher levels of stigma at the community level. The majority of women seeking abortion were viewed negatively by general community members, and this could explain women’s decision to seek an unsafe abortion.