‘Others Will Even Call us Terminators’: Barriers and Facilitators to Provision of Comprehensive Abortion Care (Cac) in Zambia – A Qualitative Study

Background:It is estimated that one in every five pregnancies globally ends up as abortion, with about 40% being unsafe. Abortions account for approximately 5.9% of all maternal mortalities and 50% of gynaecological admissions in Zambia. Despite implementing Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC), which aims to provide high quality, safe and affordable services to women, unsafe abortions rates remain high. In this study, we explored the barriers and facilitators to CAC provision in selected health facilities of Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces in Zambia.Materials and methods: A qualitative case study using in-depth interviews with health care providers was conducted between July – August, 2021 in nine selected public health facilities of Zambia. A total of 17 interviews were conducted with participants purposively sampled. The interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was done using content analysis. Results: The study revealed a number of barriers and facilitators most of which are health system related. The health system related barriers included inadequate CAC providers, healthcare provider perception that provision of CAC was optional, lack of CAC dedicated space and privacy, frequent shortages of medical supplies and lack of incentives, while individual related barriers included stigma surrounding CAC provision, religious and moral dilemmas. Facilitators to CAC provision included having providers trained and mentored in CAC, availability of a liberal legal framework, accessible services, task shifting and external financial support. Conclusions: The findings of this study on the several barriers of CAC reinforces the idea that despite having appropriate legal provisions to CAC provision in Zambia, challenges in the implementation of the law and related service provision continue to persist. The identified barrriers suggests to consider incorporating CAC services into the pre-service training to ensure more trained and skilled providers are available in the public facilities.

The infrastructural capacity of Ghanaian health facilities to provide safe abortion and post-abortion care: a cross-sectional study

Background Ghana is one of few countries in sub-Saharan Africa with relatively liberal abortion laws, but little is known about the availability and quality of abortion services nationally. The aim of this study was to describe the availability and capacity of health facilities to deliver essential PAC and SAC services in Ghana. Methods We utilized data from a nationally representative survey of Ghanaian health facilities capable of providing post-abortion care (PAC) and/or safe abortion care (SAC) (n = 539). We included 326 facilities that reported providing PAC (57%) or SAC (19%) in the preceding year. We utilized a signal functions approach to evaluate the infrastructural capacity of facilities to provide high quality basic and comprehensive care. We conducted descriptive analysis to estimate the proportion of primary and referral facilities with capacity to provide SAC and PAC and the proportion of SAC and PAC that took place in facilities with greater capacity, and fractional regression to explore factors associated with higher structural capacity for provision. Results Less than 20% of PAC and/or SAC providing facilities met all signal function criteria for basic or comprehensive PAC or for comprehensive SAC. Higher PAC caseloads and staff trained in vacuum aspiration was associated with higher capacity to provide PAC in primary and referral facilities, and private/faith-based ownership and rural location was associated with higher capacity to provide PAC in referral facilities. Primary facilities with a rural location were associated with lower basic SAC capacity. Discussion Overall very few public facilities have the infrastructural capacity to deliver all the signal functions for comprehensive abortion care in Ghana. There is potential to scale-up the delivery of safe abortion care by facilitating service provision all health facilities currently providing postabortion care. Conclusions SAC provision is much lower than PAC provision overall, yet there are persistent gaps in capacity to deliver basic PAC at primary facilities. These results highlight a need for the Ghana Ministry of Health to improve the infrastructural capability of health facilities to provide comprehensive abortion care.

Continuity of Essential Sexual and Reproductive Health Services During Covid-19 Pandemic in the Who African Region

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.

Self-managed Abortion as a Medico-legal Intervention in Ghana: a Systematic Review

BackgroundWe examined the potential of improving self-managed abortion as a medico-legal intervention of safely and effectively resolving unwanted pregnancies in Ghana.MethodsWe undertook a systematic literature review on self-managed or self-induced abortion within the context of Ghanaian laws. We searched for studies from Advanced PubMed Central and Google Scholar and repositories of Public Universities in Ghana. With search words of self-managed or self-induced abortion and Ghanaian law, we found 13,100 papers. The search was then narrowed to studies conducted between 2015-2020 of which 22 most related papers were selected with Six (6) from the Advanced Google Scholar search, 18 from PubMed and 1 unpublished postgraduate thesis from a public university library.ResultsDespite a liberal law that supported positive and quite well-decentralized service delivery policy, standards, and protocols development on abortion in Ghana, self-induced abortion remains criminalized. Nonetheless, the longstanding practice persists with no evidence of prosecution of the person(s) found violating the law within the period under review. The use of abortifacients procured from pharmacies and chemists that are not recognized abortion care providers has become the leading method of self-induced. Conclusion Despite criminalizing self-induced abortion, Ghana’s law on abortion is fairly liberal enough to permit the development of comprehensive abortion care policy, standards, and protocols that have a good potential of supporting improved self-managed abortion to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in the country. Further studies are required for the exploration of ways of filling implementation gaps to harness the potentials of improving self-managed abortions in Ghana.

Challenges in the abortion supply chain: a call to action for evaluation research

Background Reducing the burden of unsafe abortion rests considerably on women’s ability to access appropriate and timely treatment or services. A critical component of that care relies on a functional supply chain to ensure availability of abortion drugs and supplies within the health system. Disruptions in the supply of medical abortion drugs delay provision of abortion services and can increase the risks to a woman’s health. We examine the ways in which supply chain management (SCM) affects women’s ability to access safe and timely abortion to meet their reproductive health needs and highlight the gap in evaluation research on which SCM interventions best improve access to safe abortion care. SCM comprises a critical component of efficient and sustainable abortion service provision and is a requisite for expansion of services. Furthermore, governments are responsible for safeguarding links in the abortion supply chain, from registration to distribution of abortion drugs and supplies. Strategic public–private partnerships and use of innovative local or community-based distribution mechanisms can strengthen supply chain systems. Finally, alternatives to the pull-based models of distribution could alleviate bottlenecks in the final steps of abortion supply chains. Programs aimed at increasing access to safe and comprehensive abortion care must include SCM as a foundational component of service provision. Without access to a sustainable and affordable supply of abortion drugs and equipment, any attempt at providing abortion services will be critically limited. More implementation research is needed to identify the most effective interventions for improving SCM.

A qualitative study on health care providers’ experiences of providing comprehensive abortion care in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Background Humanitarian settings are characterised by limited access to comprehensive abortion care. At the same time, humanitarian settings can increase the vulnerability of women and girls to unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Humanitarian actors and health care providers can play important roles in ensuring the availability and accessibility of abortion-related care. This study explores health care providers’ perceptions and experiences of providing comprehensive abortion care in a humanitarian setting in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh and identifies barriers and facilitators in service provision. Method In-depth interviews (n = 24) were conducted with health care providers (n = 19) providing comprehensive abortion care to Rohingya refugee women and with key informants (n = 5), who were employed by an organisation involved in the humanitarian response. Data were analysed using an inductive content analysis approach. Results The national menstrual regulation policy provided a favourable legal environment and facilitated the provision of comprehensive abortion care, while the Mexico City policy created organisational barriers since it made organisations unable or unwilling to provide the full comprehensive abortion care package. Supplies were available, but a lack of space created a barrier to service provision. Although training from organisations had made the health care providers confident and competent and had facilitated the provision of services, their knowledge of the national abortion law and menstrual regulation policy was limited and created a barrier to comprehensive abortion services. Even though the health care providers were willing to provide comprehensive abortion care and had acquired skills and applied strategies to communicate with and provide care to Rohingya women, their personal beliefs and their perceptions of Rohingya women influenced their provision of care. Conclusion The availability and accessibility of comprehensive abortion care was limited by unfavourable abortion policies, a lack of privacy, a lack of knowledge of abortion laws and policies, health care providers’ personal beliefs and a lack of cultural safety. To ensure the accessibility and availability of quality services, a comprehensive approach to sexual and reproductive health and rights is needed. Organisations must ensure that health care providers have knowledge of abortion policies and the ability to provide quality care that is woman-centred and non-judgmental.

Incomplete abortion following medical method of abortion: study at a tertiary care teaching hospital at Bihar

Background: Medical method of abortion (MMA) is a safe and effective method of abortion. Combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is most widely used. However, this is being randomly used by women without proper prescription which can lead to life threatening complications.Methods: This is an observational study done at Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna, a tertiary care teaching hospital in Bihar, in a period of one year from March 2019 to February 2020. This is an attempt to study incomplete abortion after medical method of abortion and to observe the method of taking it among patients, with prescriptions or without it. Hundred women with incomplete abortion following MMA in 1st trimester of pregnancy were included. Patients’ age, parity, gestational age, locality, complaints, complications and treatment were noted. An information regarding method of administration and prescription noted.Results: 96% women used combined mifepristone plus misoprostol drug. Only 12% took the medicine on prescription of MBBS doctor, rest were all either self-administered or advised by quacks. Blood transfusion was required in 60% patients.Conclusions: Medical method of abortion is safe and effective but complications can occur if not used in accordance with guidelines. Women should be taught about and motivated for contraception. Adequate training to health care providers about comprehensive abortion care should be given.

Family planning practices of women working in the Cambodian garment industry: a qualitative study

Background: Women working in Cambodian garment factories have unmet needs for family planning (contraception and safe abortion) services, because of their background and living conditions. This study describes their experiences regarding abortion and contraception as part of a larger project to develop an intervention to support comprehensive post-abortion care.Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with women seeking abortion services at private health facilities. In addition, we interviewed the private providers of abortion and contraception services surrounding garment factories. Interviews lasted up to 60 minutes and were conducted in Khmer and later translated into English. A thematic analysis was undertaken, with medical abortion experiences coded according to the Cambodia comprehensive abortion care protocol.Results: We interviewed 16 women and 13 providers between August and November 2018. Most women reported being married and had at least one child. Among factory workers the major reported reasons for abortion were birth spacing and financial constraints. Family, friends, or co-workers were the major information resources regarding abortion and contraception, and their positive or negative experiences strongly influenced women’s attitude towards both. Medical abortion pills were not always provided with adequate instructions. Half of the participants had a manual vacuum aspiration procedure performed after medical abortion. While women knew the side effects of medical abortion, many did not know the adverse warning signs and the signs of abortion completion. Only three women started post abortion family planning, as most of the women expressed fear and hesitation due to concerns about side effects of modern contraception. Fear of infertility was particularly reported among young women without children. Conclusion: This research shows that in this setting not all women are receiving comprehensive abortion care and contraceptive counselling. Provision of accurate and adequate information about abortion methods and modern contraception was the dominant shortfall in abortion care. Future work to address this gap could involve the development of appropriate interventions and informative tools for women in the Cambodian garment industry such as through existing client contact-centres or social media, including creation of videos or posts on topics that come from clients questions.

Family planning practices of women working in the Cambodian garment industry: a qualitative study

Background: Women working in Cambodian garment factories have unmet needs for contraception and safe abortion services, because of their background and living conditions. This study describes their experiences regarding abortion and contraception as part of a larger project to develop an intervention to support comprehensive post-abortion care.Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with women seeking abortion services at private health facilities. In addition, we interviewed the private providers of abortion and contraception services surrounding garment factories. Interviews lasted up to 60 minutes and were conducted in Khmer and later translated into English. A thematic analysis was undertaken, with medical abortion experiences coded according to the Cambodia comprehensive abortion care protocol.Results: We interviewed 16 women and 13 providers between August and November 2018. Most women were married and had at least one child. Among factory workers the major reported reasons for abortion were birth spacing and financial constraints. Family, friends, or co-workers were the major information resources regarding abortion and contraception, and their positive or negative experiences strongly influenced women’s attitude towards both. Medical abortion pills were not always provided with adequate instructions. Half of the participants had a manual vacuum aspiration procedure performed after medical abortion. While women knew the side effects of medical abortion, many did not know the adverse warning signs and the signs of abortion completion. Only three women started post abortion family planning, as most of the women expressed fear and hesitation due to side effects and misconceptions related to with modern contraception. Fear of infertility was particularly reported among young women without children.Conclusion: This research shows that in this setting not all women are receiving comprehensive abortion care and contraceptive counselling. Provision of accurate and adequate information about abortion methods and modern contraception was the dominant shortfall in abortion care. Future work needs to address this gap by developing appropriate and effective interventions and informative tools for women in the Cambodian garment industry.