Healthcare Providers and Women Perspective on Barriers in Post Abortion Contraception Care in Pakistan
CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL AND NATURAL SCIENCES, (2022)Abstract
Background: In Pakistan, the higher unmet need for contraception (20%) and low prevalence of contraceptives (35%) contributes towards unintended pregnancies. Post-abortion contraception provides an opportunity to decrease incidence rate of unintended pregnancies and breaking the chain of repeated induced abortions. The aim of the study was to improve maternal health by reducing unintended pregnancies ending in abortion by expanding post abortion contraception provision and care.
Methodology: An exploratory study was conducted in public sector health facilities and peri-urban communities of Islamabad. The study followed a qualitative approach to explore barriers faced by women and health providers in post-abortion contraception care. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used. In-depth interviews (IDI’s) and focused group discussions (FGD’s) were conducted to collect data. Thematic content analysis was used for data analysis
Results: The main theme identified was, “Post-Abortion Care (PAC) failure in tertiary care public hospital in capital, Islamabad”. The sub themes contributing to the main theme were perceptions of induced abortion and post-abortion care (package), social barriers to PAC and failure of healthy pregnancy and spacing.