Quality of Post-Abortion Care in Nigeria

Abstract

Women in Nigeria face a high rate of unwanted pregnancies, with more than half of these resulting in induced abortions, which are often unsafe. About 40% of women who resort to abortion experience complications that are serious enough to warrant medical treatment and hospital admission. Often there is limited evidence on the preparedness of public health facilities to provide post-abortion care (PAC) services as well as on patients’ experiences while seeking PAC services. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 227 public health facilities across seven states in Nigeria using health facility assessment questionnaires to assess the preparedness of facilities to provide basic and comprehensive PAC services. In addition, a total of 1,247 exit interviews with PAC patients were conducted to document their experiences on the quality of PAC services. Using semi-structured interview guides, an additional one hundred and thirty-seven in-depth interviews (IDI) with PAC service providers, women treated for post abortion complications and policy makers were conducted to explore their views, experiences and perceptions on the quality of PAC services provided at public health facilities