Healthcare Providers and Women Perspective on Barriers in Post Abortion Contraception Care in Pakistan

Jawad  Khan; Dr. Saima  Hamid; Razia  Naveed

doi:10.17605/cajmns.v3i3.842

Jawad Khan Applied Economics, School of Economics and Finance, Xi'an Jiaotong University China
Dr. Saima Hamid Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Razia Naveed Quaid-i-Azam University, Health Services Academy Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/cajmns.v3i3.842

Keywords: Healthcare, Women, Barriers, Post-Abortion, Pakistan

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.

Conclusion: There is pressing need of policy formulation regarding post-abortion care to reduce unintended pregnancies by providing effective and timely post-abortion contraception to women.

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