| Abstract: | In Kenya, where abortion is permitted only to save a woman's life, unsafe abortion accounts for over one-third of maternal deaths and hospital emergency rooms are overcrowded with women suffering complications of induced and spontaneous abortions. Postabortion care, a service linking emergency treatment of abortion complications with family planning counseling and comprehensive reproductive health care, is under review by the Population Council as a method of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity as well as the incidence of repeat unsafe abortion. An operations research study conducted by the Kenyan Ministry of Health identified several obstacles to such care: lack of information on abortion management, limited service provider skills, inconsistent supplies, and a lack of empathy for women presenting with incomplete abortion. Although 86% of abortion patients from 6 Kenyan hospitals expressed an interest in contraceptive counseling, only 5% reported actually receiving such information. As part of the operations research, these 6 hospitals introduced postabortion care, including, in 3 hospitals, use of manual vacuum aspiration. All 6 hospitals provided contraceptive counseling and psychosocial support. Based on the success of this experience, the Ministry of Health is considering introducing postabortion care to all hospitals in Kenya. |
