scholarly journals Status of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Zambia: Contraception and family planning, preventing unsafe abortion and accessing post abortion care, and maternal health

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Ochieng Otieno ◽  
Leopold Ouedraogo ◽  
Triphonie Nkurunziza ◽  
Chilanga Asmani ◽  
Hayfa Elamin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the capacity of health systems to continue the delivery of essential health services. While health systems around the world are being challenged by increasing demand for care of COVID-19 patients, it is critical to all other services including sexual reproductive health services. Countries are expected to ensure optimal balance between fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and maintenance of essential health services like sexual reproductive health. The purpose of this report was to assess and document continuity of sexual and reproductive health services with a focus on safe abortion, post abortion care and family planning services during the COVID -19 pandemic in selected countries of the World Health Organization Africa Region.Methods: A descriptive survey using a simplified and user-friendly virtual web based rapid needs assessment through a questionnaire was filled in by key informants drawn from the ministries of health from 30 countries in July 2020. The questionnaires were filled in by the World Health Organization staff in charge of sexual reproductive health services in collaboration with their counterparts in the ministries of health and uploaded in excel data sheets and categorized in to thematic areas for analysis.Results: Responses were received from 17 countries out of the 30 countries that received the questionnaires. Of the 17 countries, only 2 (12%) countries reported that sexual and reproductive health services are not integrated in the essential health services package. All the sexual reproductive health elements-family planning/contraception and comprehensive abortion care, including post abortion care are integrated in the essential health services package in 12 (80%) of the 15 countries that have sexual reproductive health integrated. Also,14(82%) countries reporting having ongoing awareness raising campaigns/communication messages about family planning, comprehensive abortion care and post abortion care during the COVID pandemic. 9(59%) of the countries reported reduction in the use of family planning services, 6(35%) indicated no changes in the use of family planning services with only 2(12%) countries providing no response. Conclusion: The survey provides information on the weak health systems of the participating member states of the WHO Africa Region and the magnitude of disruptions of sexual reproductive health services in selected countries. Further, strategies adopted by countries to ensure continuity of sexual reproductive health services amidst COVID -19 like communications, Countries finally identified key areas that need to be supported in family planning/contraception, comprehensive abortion care and post abortion care during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akinola Oluwarotimi Ireti ◽  
Fabamwo Adetokunbo Olusegun ◽  
Tayo Adetokunbo Olufela ◽  
Alokha Mercy ◽  
Oshodi Yussuf Abisowo ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Colin Baynes ◽  
Erick Yegon ◽  
Grace Lusiola ◽  
Japhet Achola ◽  
Rehema Kahando

Abstract 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 interviewed (N=412) could recall receiving counselling on post-abortion family planning. Nearly two-thirds reported a desire to either space or limit childbearing. Of those who desired to space or limited childbearing, approximately 20% received a contraceptive method before discharge from PAC. The factors significantly associated with post-abortion contraceptive acceptance were completion of primary school, prior use of contraception, receipt of PAC at lower level facilities and recall of post-abortion family planning counselling. Qualitative analysis revealed different layers of contextual influences that shaped women’s fertility desires and contraceptive decision-making during PAC: individual (PAC client), spousal/partner-related, health service-related and societal. While results lend support to the concept that there are opportunities for services to address unmet need for post-abortion family planning, they also attest to the synergistic influences of individual, spousal, organizational and societal factors that influence whether they can be realized during PAC. Several strategies to do so emerged saliently from this analysis. These emphasize customized counselling to enable client–provider communication about fertility preferences, structural intervention aimed at empowering women to assert those objectives in family and health care settings, availability of information and services on post-abortion fertility and contraceptive eligibility in PAC settings and interventions to facilitate constructive spousal communication on family planning and contraceptive use, after abortion and in general.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-49
Author(s):  
Woo Lee ◽  
Jasson John

There are numerous methods of contraception selection and making selection among one of these method is an important decision. Commence of suitable contraception is important before starting first post-abortal menstrual period. Generally, it is required to provide individuals and couples about treatments, complications, counseling related to HIV/STI as part of post abortion care. The study is observational in nature and conducted in a hospital in Tanzanian capital. The sample included in the study was 60 patients. The results showed that among illiterate women along with those who have more than 1 living son or who have 4 or more living children prefer permanent method. We also found that contraception method is influenced by different demographic factors including living children gender, couple age, education, and income. Couples who feel that their families are completed mostly opt for permanent method of contraception. Family planning choices is also influenced by desire for a male child.


2012 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 719-731 ◽  
Author(s):  
SYED KHURRAM AZMAT ◽  
BABAR T SHAIKH ◽  
GHULAM MUSTAFA ◽  
WAQAS HAMEED ◽  
MOHSINA BILGRAMI

SummaryThis qualitative study was conducted in May–June 2010 with women using post-abortion care (PAC) services provided by the Marie Stopes Society in Pakistan during the six month period preceding the study, more than 70% of whom had been referred to the clinics by reproductive health volunteers (RHVs). The aim of the study was to establish the socio-demographic profile of clients, determine their preferred method of treatment, explore their perceptions of the barriers to accessing post-abortion services and to understand the challenges faced by RHVs. The sample women were selected from six randomly selected districts of Sindh and Punjab. Eight focus group discussions were conducted with PAC clients and fifteen in-depth interviews with RHVs. In addition, a quantitative exit interview questionnaire was administered to 76 clients. Medical, rather than surgical, treatment for incomplete and unsafe abortions was preferred because it was perceived to ‘cause less pain’, was ‘easy to employ’ and ‘having fewer complications’. Household economics influence women's decision-making on seeking post-abortion care. Other restraining factors include objection by husbands and in-laws, restrictions on female mobility, the views of religious clerics and a lack of transport. The involvement of all stakeholders could secure social approval and acceptance of the provision of safe post-abortion care services in Pakistan, and improve the quality of family planning services to the women who want to space their pregnancies.


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