Delayed post abortion care and complications from unsafe abortions in Kenya
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines unsafe abortion as “a procedure for terminating an unwanted pregnancy either by persons lacking the necessary skills or in an environment lacking the minimal medical standards, or both”. Complications of unsafe abortion pose a major health risk to women and contribute to high levels of maternal mortality and morbidity.
METHODS:
This paper uses data from the magnitude and incidence of unsafe abortions in Kenya study conducted in 2012 to explore the characteristics of Kenyan women seeking abortion care. The study generated data from a nationally representative sample of 350 level II-level VI that provide abortion care services.
Outcome: Level of severity
Main explanatory variable: Total duration of time between onset of complication and time of contact with a healthcare personnel
RESULTS:
Of the 14,663 women who presented for abortion care in the sampled facilities, 86% sought PAC, 14% termination of pregnancy (TOP). Over 70 percent of the women seeking TOP and PAC were aged below 25 years. Of women seeking TOP, 16 percent had a previous abortion, and 95 percent of the pregnancies were unintended. The duration of delay in seeking healthcare intervention was longest among women presenting with more severe complications (74 hours), while those with moderate complications presented after 30 hours, with mild complications presenting to health facilities after 28 hours. Women who delayed before getting care were twice more likely to present with higher severity of complications as compared to those who sought care within the first 12 hours of onset of complications.
CONCLUSIONS:
Unsafe abortions remain a major public health issue in Kenya. This study identifies the extent of post abortion complications resulting from delay in seeking care intervention after women secured an unsafe abortion.
The study highlights the need for increased community awareness on risks of unsafe abortions, increased availability of PAC services and promotion of preventive measures aimed at reduction of unintended pregnancies such as contraceptive use is also of essence.