Unsafe Abortion Resources
General, Africa, Latin America
General
Title: Unsafe abortion: Global and regional estimates of the incidence of unsafe abortion and associated mortality in 2003, Fifth edition.
Author: World Health Organization
Organization: World Health Organization
Date: 2007
Description: This report gives estimates of the number of unsafe abortions and associated mortality for the year 2003. Nearly 20 million unsafe abortions took place that year, 98% of them in developing countries with restrictive abortion laws. These countries often also have low rates of use of modern reversible contraceptives and high levels of unmet need for family planning. Regional and global estimates of the incidence rate of unsafe abortion (per 1000 women aged 15-49 years) and unsafe abortion ratios (per 100 live births) are presented. The report identifies areas where data on unsafe abortion are particularly scarce and estimates therefore tenuous. Trends in the estimated incidence of unsafe abortion are examined, and relevant background information is provided on the legal context of abortion, fertility transition, unplanned pregnancy, family planning and contraceptive method mix. The health consequences of unsafe abortion and their global burden for women and for society are discussed.
Title: Addressing unsafe abortion: A commitment to saving women's lives, second edition
Author: Ipas
Organization: Ipas
Date: 2008
Description: This two-page factsheet summarizes the global problem of unsafe abortion, and includes recommendations that have been made over the past 10 years to address this problem, the approaches used to implement these recommendations, and a discussion of what more needs to be done to address unsafe abortion.
Title: Addressing the Consequences of Unsafe Abortion: Insights from Pathfinder Program Experience
Authors: S. Webb
Organization: Pathfinder International
Date: 2000
Description: This document describes Pathfinder International programs that attempt to tackle the problem of unsafe abortions.
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Africa
Title: Community Level Dynamics of Unsafe Abortion in Western Kenya and Opportunities for Prevention: Summary of Findings and Recommendations from Pre-Intervention Research
Authors: K. Rogo, L. Bohmer, C. Ombaka
Organization: Pacific Institute for Women’s Health
Date: 2000
Description: Tthe Pacific Institute for Women’s Health, in collaboration with the Nairobi-based Center for the Study of Adolescence, conducted pre-intervention exploratory research to better understand unsafe abortion within several communities in the Nyanza Province of Western Kenya. The intent was that this research directly inform the design and testing of several subsequent community based intervention strategies. This summary report presents findings from the pre-intervention research phase.
Title: Nigerian network develops strategy to address unsafe abortion
Authors: T. Baird, B. Ogedembe, A. Tubi, S.O. Shittu, O. Glwa-Osagie, T. Akinosho
Organization: Ipas
Date: 1998
Description: This document reports on Postabortion Care Network, a consortium that works to reduce the maternal morbidity and mortality from unsafe abortion in Nigeria. Includes the following topics: factors that contribute to unsafe abortion, development of a strategic plan of action, gaining endorsement, and the benefits and limitations of this approach.
Title: Unsafe abortion and
abortion care in Khartoum, Sudan
Authors: J.
Kinaro, T.E. Ali, R. Schlangen, J. Mack
Date: Reproductive Health Matters,
Nov 2009; 17(34): 71-7.
Description: Unsafe abortion in Sudan results in
significant morbidity and mortality. This study of treatment for complications
of unsafe abortion in five hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan, included a review of
hospital records and a survey of 726 patients seeking abortion-related care
from 27 October 2007 to 31 January 2008, an interview of a provider of
post-abortion care and focus group discussions with community leaders. Findings
demonstrate enormous unmet need for safe abortion services. Abortion is legally
restricted in Sudan to circumstances where the woman's life is at risk or in
cases of rape. Post-abortion care is not easily accessible. In a country
struggling with poverty, internal displacement, rural dwelling, and a dearth of
trained doctors, mid-level providers are not allowed to provide post-abortion
care or prescribe contraception. The vast majority of the 726 abortion patients
in the five hospitals were treated with dilatation and curettage (D&C), and
only 12.3% were discharged with a contraceptive method. Some women waited long
hours before treatment was provided; 14.5% of them had to wait for 5-8 hours and
7.3% for 9-12 hours. Mid-level providers should be trained in safe abortion
care and post-abortion care to make these services accessible to a wider
community in Sudan. Guidelines should be developed on quality of care and
should mandate the use of manual vacuum aspiration or misoprostol for medical
abortion instead of D&C.
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Latin America
Title: Clandestine abortion in Peru: Facts and figures
Authors: D. Ferrando
Organization: Pathfinder International and Centro de la Mujer Peruana
Date: 2002
Description: This study explores the practice of induced abortion in Peru as a public health problem and as an issue that concerns the sexual and reproductive rights of individuals, which are basic human rights. It is hoped that the findings of this study will contribute to the understanding of the problem of abortion and to improving current health policy, which, in turn, will enable women and their partners to attain their reproductive goals under voluntary, safe, and healthy conditions.
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