The Incidence of Induced Abortion in Kenya
While the newly promulgated constitution of Kenya permits abortion when the life or health of the woman is in danger, unsafe abortion remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Kenya. The current study aimed to determine the incidence of induced abortion in Kenya in 2012.
METHODS:
The incidence of induced abortion in Kenya in 2012 was estimated using the Abortion Incidence Complications Methodology (AICM). Data used come primarily from a nationally-representative sample of 350 health facilities. Data were collected through three surveys: (i) a Health Facilities Survey (HFS) (ii) a Prospective Morbidity Survey (PMS), and (iii) a Health Professionals Survey (HPS). A total of 328 facilities participated in the HFS, 326 participated in the PMS, and 124 key informants participated in the HPS. Abortion numbers, rates, abortion ratios and unintended pregnancy rates were calculated for Kenya as a whole and for five combined regions.
RESULTS:
In 2012, an estimated 464,000 induced abortions occurred in Kenya and about 120,000 women received care for complications of induced abortion in health facilities. Nationally, the abortion rate was 48 per 1,000 women aged 15-49, and the abortion ratio was 30 per 100 live births. About half (49%) of all pregnancies in Kenya were unintended and 41% of unintended pregnancies ended as abortions.
CONCLUSIONS:
An urgent need exists for increased access to effective modern contraceptive services among women in Kenya in order to reduce unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortion.