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Loi UR, Sorhaindo A, Embo M, Kabra R, Kiarie J, Ganatra B. Description of the methodology for developing and validating the WHO's family planning and comprehensive abortion care competencies for the primary health care workforce. Sex Reprod Healthc 2024; 39:100945. [PMID: 38237452 PMCID: PMC10951617 DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
A qualified health workforce is essential to receiving effective, timely, affordable, equitable and respectful family planning and comprehensive abortion care. However, in many countries, health workers lack the competencies required to deliver quality family planning and comprehensive abortion care services. Competency-based education and learning aims to train and assess competencies. The theory-supported approach focuses on outcomes, emphasizes the learner's ability to perform, promotes learner-centeredness and links the health needs of the population to the competencies required of health workers. In 2011, the World Health Organization published a guidance document, Sexual and reproductive health - Core competencies in primary care, defining the competencies that primary care providers need to safely deliver sexual and reproductive health services at the community level and included family planning and comprehensive abortion care. In this article, we describe the methodology and process undertaken in 2020, by the World Health Organization to produce the family planning and comprehensive abortion care competencies guidance, filling gaps identified in the previous guidance document. The World Health Organization's Family Planning and Comprehensive Abortion Care toolkit for the primary health care workforce was published in 2022 and defines the key competencies for health workers in primary health care providing quality family planning and comprehensive abortion care services, as well as support for developing programmes and curricula for education and lifelong learning. The Toolkit is useful for practitioners, managers/supervisors and employers, educators, regulatory bodies, and policymakers. It is an important advance toward strengthening family planning and comprehensive abortion care services in primary health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Rehnström Loi
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Annik Sorhaindo
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mieke Embo
- Department of Educational Studies, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, H. Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rita Kabra
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - James Kiarie
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bela Ganatra
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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Lal BK, Pandav RS, Hyder MKA, Kalyanwala S, Loi UR, Rajbhandari SV, Singh A, Kansal A. Policy change to improve access to safe abortion care in federal Nepal. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024; 164 Suppl 1:61-66. [PMID: 37001867 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
In Nepal's constitution, safe abortion care is recognized as an essential component of a comprehensive approach to fulfill individuals' sexual and reproductive health and rights. In the current context of transition to a three-level governance (federal, provincial, and local), there are opportunities to accelerate decentralization and devolution of decision-making power, increase access to and coverage of safe abortion services, and improve health outcomes. This article documents the processes and results of the policy change undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Population in collaboration with development partners to decentralize the approval process of safe abortion sites and providers with the objective to increase access to and coverage of safe abortion services. With the decentralization of certification, the approval process for safe abortion service sites and providers has become simpler, less time consuming, and less expensive by reducing cost of traveling to Kathmandu or approaching authorities at the federal level. This has resulted in expanding safe abortion services across the country including remote areas with marginalized populations. Evidence-based advocacy enabled policy change for decentralization of the approval process. Collaboration among stakeholders has been vital for implementing the policy change, including issuing directives from the federal to provincial levels and capacity strengthening of provincial level officials in understanding the requirements for approval of sites and providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibek Kumar Lal
- Family Welfare Division, Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Population, Government of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | - Shveta Kalyanwala
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ulrika Rehnström Loi
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Aliza Singh
- World Health Organization, Nepal Country Office, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Amrita Kansal
- World Health Organization, Nepal Country Office, Lalitpur, Nepal
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Makenzius M, Rehnström Loi U, Otieno B, Oguttu M. A stigma-reduction intervention targeting abortion and contraceptive use among adolescents in Kisumu County, Kenya: a quasi-experimental study. Sex Reprod Health Matters 2023; 31:1881208. [PMID: 36846933 PMCID: PMC9980036 DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2021.1881208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This study assessed the effectiveness of a school-based stigma-reduction intervention focusing on stigmatising attitudes towards girls associated with abortion and contraceptive use. In February 2017, two gender-mixed secondary schools (n = 1368) in peri-urban areas of Kisumu County, Kenya, were assigned to receive either an 8-hour stigma-reduction intervention over four sessions (intervention school: IS) or standard comprehensive sexuality education (control school: CS). A classroom survey entailing two five-point Likert scales - the 18-item Adolescents Stigmatizing Attitudes, Beliefs and Actions (ASABA) scale, which measures abortion stigma, and the seven-item Contraceptive Use Stigma (CUS) scale - was conducted to collect data at baseline, 1-month and 12-months after the intervention. The intervention was to be considered effective if a mean score reduction of 25% was achieved for both the ASABA (primary outcome) and the CUS (secondary outcome) at the IS between baseline and 12-month follow-up. 1207 (IS = 574; CS = 633) students were included in analyses at 1-month follow-up, and 693 (IS = 323; CS = 370) at 12-months (the final-year students had left school). A decrease in mean score on both scales was observed at 1-month at both schools. At 12-months, the score decrease was 30.1% at the IS and 9.0% at the CS for ASABA, and 27.3% at the IS and 7.9% at the CS for CUS. At the IS, the score decrease for ASABA between baseline and 12-months was 23.3% among girls and 31.2% among boys; for CUS, the decrease was 27.3% and 24.3%, respectively. ASABA and CUS were positively correlated (r = 0.543; p < 0.001), implying a broader perspective on reproductive stigma. A four-session, school-based stigma-reduction intervention could lead to transformed values and attitudes towards gender norms among adolescents regarding abortion and contraceptive use. Stigma associated with abortion and contraception should become a priority for high-quality CSE programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Makenzius
- Researcher, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, and the Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Correspondence:
| | - Ulrika Rehnström Loi
- Researcher, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Beatrice Otieno
- Project Officer, Kisumu Medical Education Trust (KMET), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Monica Oguttu
- Executive Director, Kisumu Medical Education Trust (KMET), Kisumu, Kenya
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Sorhaindo AM, Castle S, Flomen L, Lathrop E, Mohagheghpour S, Dabash R, Toedtli FK, Wilkins R, Läser L, Titulaer P, Nyamato E, Dakouo ML, Awadallah A, Shrestha R, Morales M, Rehnström Loi U. Adaptations to comprehensive abortion care during the COVID-19 pandemic: case studies of provision in Bolivia, Mali, Nepal, and the occupied Palestinian territory. Sex Reprod Health Matters 2023; 31:2249694. [PMID: 37747711 PMCID: PMC11003643 DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2249694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted comprehensive abortion care provision. To maintain access to services while keeping individuals safe from infection, many organisations adapted their programmes. We conducted a programme evaluation to examine service adaptations implemented in Bolivia, Mali, Nepal, and the occupied Palestinian territory. Our programme evaluation used a case study approach to explore four programme adaptations through 14 group and individual interviews among 16 service providers, facility managers and representatives from supporting organisations. Data collection took place between October 2021 and January 2022. We identified adaptations to comprehensive abortion care services in relation to provision, health information systems and counselling, and referrals. Four overarching strategies emerged: (1) the use of digital technologies, (2) home and community outreach, (3) health worker optimisation, and (4) further consideration of groups in vulnerable situations. In Bolivia, the use of a messaging application increased access to confidential gender-based violence support and comprehensive abortion care. In Mali, the adoption of digital approaches created timely and complete data reporting and trained members of the community served as "interlocutors" between the communities and providers. In Nepal, an interim law expanded medical abortion provision to pharmacies, and home visits complemented facility-based services. In the occupied Palestinian territory, the use of a hotline and social media expanded access to quick and reliable information, counselling, referrals, and post-abortion care. Adaptations to comprehensive abortion care service delivery to mitigate disruptions to services during the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to benefit service quality of care, access to care, routine monitoring, as well as inclusivity and communication in the longer term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annik Mahalia Sorhaindo
- Technical Consultant, UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Castle
- Technical Consultant, UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lola Flomen
- Mixed Health Systems Consultant, Population Services International, WashingtonDC, USA
| | - Eva Lathrop
- Global Medical Director, Population Services International, WashingtonDC, USA
| | - Shirine Mohagheghpour
- Senior Technical Advisor for Service Delivery, Population Services International, WashingtonDC, USA
| | - Rasha Dabash
- Senior Technical Consultant, Ipas, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Rebecca Wilkins
- Technical Lead, Abortion, International Planned Parenthood Federation, London, UK
| | - Laurence Läser
- Technical Officer UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Titulaer
- Technical Consultant, UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ernest Nyamato
- Global Associate Director, Quality of Care, Ipas, Nairobi County, Kenya
| | - Mary Lea Dakouo
- Senior Technical Advisor, Population Services International, Bamako, Mali
| | - Ammal Awadallah
- Executive Director, Palestine Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA), Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Raman Shrestha
- Global Evidence and Impact Advisor, Marie Stopes Nepal, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Malena Morales
- Country Director Bolivia, Ipas LAC Region, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Ulrika Rehnström Loi
- Technical Officer, UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211Geneva, Switzerland
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Grossman A, Prata N, Williams N, Ganatra B, Lavelanet A, Läser L, Asmani C, Elamin H, Ouedraogo L, Rahman MM, Conneh-Duworko MJ, Tehoungue BZ, Chanza H, Phiri H, Bhattarai B, Dhakal NP, Ojo OA, Afolabi K, Kabuteni TJ, Hailu BG, Moses F, Dlamini-Nqeketo S, Zulu T, Rehnström Loi U. Correction: Availability of medical abortion medicines in eight countries: a descriptive analysis of key findings and opportunities. Reprod Health 2023; 20:160. [PMID: 37884974 PMCID: PMC10604516 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-023-01691-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Grossman
- Venture Strategies for Health & Development/OASIS, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ndola Prata
- Venture Strategies for Health & Development/OASIS, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Bixby Center for Population, Health & Sustainability, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Natalie Williams
- Venture Strategies for Health & Development/OASIS, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Bela Ganatra
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Antonella Lavelanet
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laurence Läser
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Chilanga Asmani
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Hayfa Elamin
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Leopold Ouedraogo
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | | | | | | | - Harriet Chanza
- World Health Organization, Malawi Country Office, Lilongwe, Republic of Malawi
| | - Henry Phiri
- Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Republic of Malawi
| | - Bharat Bhattarai
- Department of Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Population, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | - Kayode Afolabi
- Reproductive Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria
| | | | | | - Francis Moses
- Reproductive Health/Family Planning Programme Manager, Ministry of Health, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Thembi Zulu
- National Department of Health, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
| | - Ulrika Rehnström Loi
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Rehnström Loi U, Sorhaindo A, Embo M, Kabra R, Kiarie J, Ganatra B. Aligning health worker education and learning approaches with population health needs: WHO's Family Planning and Comprehensive Abortion Care Toolkit for the primary healthcare workforce. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e013256. [PMID: 37666579 PMCID: PMC10481714 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Rehnström Loi
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Annik Sorhaindo
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mieke Embo
- Department of Educational Studies, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Rita Kabra
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - James Kiarie
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bela Ganatra
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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Footman K, Goel K, Rehnström Loi U, Mirelman AJ, Govender V, Ganatra B. Inclusion of abortion-related care in national health benefit packages: results from a WHO global survey. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012321. [PMID: 37643800 PMCID: PMC10465905 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Service inclusion in a country's health benefit package (HBP) is an important milestone towards universal health coverage. This study aimed to explore HBP inclusion of abortion interventions globally. METHODS Secondary analysis of the WHO HBP survey, in which officially nominated survey focal points were asked which interventions were included within the HBP of their country or area's largest government health financing scheme. Abortion inclusion was compared by region, income, legal status of abortion and HBP design process variables. Abortion inclusion was compared with other sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. RESULTS Below half (45%) reported that abortion is included, but treatment of complications from unsafe abortion was more commonly included (63%). Fewer fully included essential abortion medications (22% mifepristone, 42% misoprostol). Abortion was less commonly included than any other SRH service in the survey. Unlike most SRH services, higher cost, higher technology care to treat complications of unsafe abortion was more commonly included than the relatively lower cost, lower technology service of induced abortion. Higher-income contexts and less restrictive legal environments had higher abortion inclusion. Some contexts had additional restrictions, with abortion inclusion dependent on the patient's reason for seeking care. CONCLUSION This global survey finds that abortion services and medications are often not included within HBPs, while treatment of complications from unsafe abortion is more commonly included. There are opportunities to improve HBP abortion inclusion across different legal contexts, which can improve health outcomes and reduce the need for higher cost treatment of complications from unsafe abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy Footman
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kratu Goel
- Department of Health Financing and Economics, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ulrika Rehnström Loi
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrew J Mirelman
- Department of Health Financing and Economics, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Veloshnee Govender
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bela Ganatra
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
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Grossman A, Prata N, Williams N, Ganatra B, Lavelanet A, Läser L, Asmani C, Elamin H, Ouedraogo L, Rahman MM, Conneh-Duworko MJ, Tehoungue BZ, Chanza H, Phiri H, Bhattarai B, Dhakal NP, Ojo OA, Afolabi K, Kabuteni TJ, Hailu BG, Moses F, Dlamini-Nqeketo S, Zulu T, Rehnström Loi U. Availability of medical abortion medicines in eight countries: a descriptive analysis of key findings and opportunities. Reprod Health 2023; 20:58. [PMID: 37041543 PMCID: PMC10091522 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-023-01574-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years a growing number of manufacturers and medical abortion products have entered country markets and health systems, with varying degrees of quality and accessibility. An interplay of factors including pharmaceutical regulations, abortion laws, government policies and service delivery guidelines and provider's knowledge and practices influence the availability of medical abortion medicines. We assessed the availability of medical abortion in eight countries to increase understanding among policymakers of the need to improve availability and affordability of quality-assured medical abortion products at regional and national levels. METHODS Using a national assessment protocol and an availability framework, we assessed the availability of medical abortion medicines in Bangladesh, Liberia, Malawi, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and South Africa between September 2019 and January 2020. RESULTS Registration of abortion medicines-misoprostol or a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol-was established in all countries assessed, except Rwanda. Mifepristone and misoprostol regimen for medical abortion was identified on the national essential medicines list/standard treatment guidelines for South Africa as well as in specific abortion care service and delivery guidelines for Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, and Rwanda. In Liberia, Malawi, and Sierra Leone-countries with highly restrictive abortion laws and no abortion service delivery guidelines or training curricula-no government-supported training on medical abortion for public sector providers had occurred. Instead, training on medical abortion was either limited in scope to select private sector providers and pharmacists or prohibited. Community awareness activities on medical abortion have been limited in scope across the countries assessed and where abortion is broadly legal, most women do not know that it is an option. CONCLUSION Understanding the factors that influence the availability of medical abortion medicines is important to support policymakers improve availability of these medicines. The landscape assessments documented that medical abortion commodities can be uniquely impacted by the laws, policies, values, and degree of restrictions placed on service delivery programs. Results of the assessments can guide actions to improve access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Grossman
- Venture Strategies for Health & Development/OASIS, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ndola Prata
- Venture Strategies for Health & Development/OASIS, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Bixby Center for Population, Health & Sustainability, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Natalie Williams
- Venture Strategies for Health & Development/OASIS, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Bela Ganatra
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Antonella Lavelanet
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laurence Läser
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Chilanga Asmani
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Hayfa Elamin
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Leopold Ouedraogo
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | | | | | | | - Harriet Chanza
- World Health Organization, Malawi Country Office, Lilongwe, Republic of Malawi
| | - Henry Phiri
- Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Republic of Malawi
| | - Bharat Bhattarai
- Department of Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Population, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | - Kayode Afolabi
- Reproductive Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria
| | | | | | - Francis Moses
- Reproductive Health/Family Planning Programme Manager, Ministry of Health, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Thembi Zulu
- National Department of Health, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
| | - Ulrika Rehnström Loi
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Rehnström Loi U, Prata N, Grossman A, Lavelanet A, Williams N, Ganatra B. In-country availability of medical abortion medicines: a description of the framework and methodology of the WHO landscape assessments. Reprod Health 2023; 20:20. [PMID: 36694182 PMCID: PMC9875387 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-022-01530-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Availability of quality-assured medical abortion medicines plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive abortion care. However, access to these medicines is still restricted for many abortion seekers. Increasing availability of affordable, quality-assured mifepristone and misoprostol is important to improve access to safe medical abortion services. Driven by the outcomes of a global consultation hosted by the World Health Organization and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency in 2018, we decided to holistically examine access to medical abortion medicines from supply to demand. The overarching principle of the national landscape assessments was to generate evidence to support policy dialog and policymaking that is contextual to the needs of the country. This paper aims to describe the framework and methodological approach used in the World Health Organization landscape assessments of medical abortion medicines at country-level. METHODS A country assessment protocol was developed to guide the methodology of the World Health Organization landscape assessments. The assessment protocol included adaptation of an existing availability framework, an online desk review and literature review for existing data available for the country of interest, country-level key informant interviews, and analysis of the data to identify barriers and opportunities to improve medical abortion availability. CONCLUSION The availability framework and methodology will allow the identification of key barriers that limit readiness of medical abortion medicines, and the development of opportunities to overcome those barriers. The national landscape assessments will provide directions for future investments and offer guidance for policy and programming on medical abortion care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Rehnström Loi
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Ndola Prata
- Venture Strategies for Health & Development/OASIS, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878Bixby Center for Population, Health & Sustainability, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Amy Grossman
- Venture Strategies for Health & Development/OASIS, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Antonella Lavelanet
- grid.3575.40000000121633745UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Natalie Williams
- Venture Strategies for Health & Development/OASIS, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Bela Ganatra
- grid.3575.40000000121633745UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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Rehnström Loi U, Otieno B, Oguttu M, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Klingberg-Allvin M, Faxelid E, Makenzius M. Abortion and contraceptive use stigma: a cross-sectional study of attitudes and beliefs in secondary school students in western Kenya. Sex Reprod Health Matters 2020; 27:1652028. [PMID: 31533554 PMCID: PMC7887988 DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2019.1652028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Social stigma related to women's reproductive decision-making negatively impacts the health of women. However, little is known about stigmatising attitudes and beliefs surrounding abortion and contraceptive use among adolescents. The aim of this study was to measure stigmatising attitudes and beliefs regarding abortion and contraceptive use among secondary school students in western Kenya. A self-reported classroom questionnaire-survey was administered in February 2017 to students at two suburban secondary schools in western Kenya. Two scales were used to measure the stigma surrounding abortion and contraceptive use - the Adolescent Stigmatizing Attitudes, Beliefs and Actions (ASABA) scale and the Contraceptive Use Stigma (CUS) scale. 1,369 students were eligible for the study; 1,207 (females = 618, males = 582) aged 13-21 years were included in the analysis. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's χ2 test, and the t-test were used to analyse the data. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The students reported stigma associated with abortion (53.2%), and contraceptive use (54.4%). A larger proportion of male students reported abortion stigma (57.7%) and contraceptive use stigma (58.5%), compared to female students (49.0%, p = .003 and 50.6%, p = .007, respectively). Higher scores were displayed by younger rather than older age groups. No associations were identified between sexual debut and abortion stigma (p = .899) or contraceptive use stigma (p = .823). Abortion and contraceptive use are stigmatised by students in Kenya. The results can be used to combat abortion stigma and to increase contraceptive use among adolescents in Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Rehnström Loi
- PhD Student, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Beatrice Otieno
- Project Officer, Kisumu Medical Education Trust (KMET) , Kisumu , Kenya
| | - Monica Oguttu
- Executive Director, Kisumu Medical Education Trust (KMET), Kisumu, Kenya; College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing Sciences, University of Nairobi , Nairobi , Kenya
| | - Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson
- Professor, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Karolinska University Hospital , Solna , Sweden
| | - Marie Klingberg-Allvin
- Professor, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University , Falun , Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Faxelid
- Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, Global Health, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Marlene Makenzius
- PhD, Department of Public Health Sciences, Global Health, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
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Rehnström Loi U, Klingberg-Allvin M, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Faxelid E, Oguttu M, Makenzius M. Contraceptive uptake among post-abortion care-seeking women with unplanned or planned pregnancy in western Kenya. Sex Reprod Healthc 2020; 23:100486. [PMID: 31951913 DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2020.100486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate contraceptive uptake among PAC-seeking women reporting either planned pregnancies (PP) or unplanned pregnancies (UP) and to identify factors associated with UP. STUDY DESIGN This was a sub-study nested in randomised controlled trial (RCT) on women who sought PAC in a low-resource setting in western Kenya. The analysis was based on 807 women who were followed up at 7-10 days and by 472 women at 3 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used. RESULTS Of the 807 women, 375 (46.3%) reported UP, and 432 (53.3%) PP. Most women, regardless of reported pregnancy intention, agreed to start using contraceptive methods: UP 273 (72.8%) and PP 338 (78.2%), respectively, P = 0.072. Independent factors associated with UP were young age (14-20 years; OR 1.177; 95% CI, 1.045-2.818; P = 0.033), unmarried status (OR 9.149; 95% CI, 5.719-14.638; P < 0.001), nulliparity (OR 1.968; 95% CI, 1.287-3.008; P = 0.002), concealed pregnancy (OR 7.708; 95% CI, 3.299-18.012; P < 0.001) and absence of a partner at the clinic visit (OR 3.174; 95% CI, 2.214-4.552; P < 0.001). At 3-month follow-up, there was no difference in contraceptive use between the UP group (161; 77.4%) and the PP group (193; 73.7%), P = 0.350. CONCLUSION Contraceptive counselling should be systematically offered to all PAC-seeking women, regardless of their stated pregnancy intention. Adolescents, unmarried women, nulliparous, women with concealed pregnancy and attending the PAC clinic without a partner should be given extra attention by PAC providers offering contraceptive counselling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Rehnström Loi
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Marie Klingberg-Allvin
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden
| | - Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Faxelid
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Monica Oguttu
- Kisumu Medical Education Trust (KMET), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Marlene Makenzius
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Rehnström Loi U, Lindgren M, Faxelid E, Oguttu M, Klingberg-Allvin M. Decision-making preceding induced abortion: a qualitative study of women's experiences in Kisumu, Kenya. Reprod Health 2018; 15:166. [PMID: 30285768 PMCID: PMC6171301 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-018-0612-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions are prevalent in regions where women and adolescent girls have unmet contraceptive needs. Globally, about 25 million unsafe abortions take place every year. In countries with restrictive abortion laws, safe abortion care is not always accessible. In Kenya, the high unwanted pregnancy rate resulting in unsafe abortions is a serious public health issue. Gaps exist in knowledge regarding women’s decision-making processes in relation to induced abortions in Kenya. Decision-making is a fundamental factor for consideration when planning and implementing contraceptive services. This study explored decision-making processes preceding induced abortion among women with unwanted pregnancy in Kisumu, Kenya. Methods Individual face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with nine women aged 19–32 years old. Women who had experienced induced abortion were recruited after receiving post-abortion care at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) or Kisumu East District Hospital (KDH) in Kisumu, Kenya. In total, 15 in-depth interviews using open-ended questions were conducted. All interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed and coded manually using inductive content analysis. Results Respondents described their own experiences regarding decision-making preceding induced abortion. This study shows that the main reasons for induced abortion were socio-economic stress and a lack of support from the male partner. In addition, deviance from family expectations and gender-based norms highly influenced the decision to have an abortion among the interviewed women. The principal decision maker was often the male partner who pressed for the termination of the pregnancy indirectly by declining his financial or social responsibilities or directly by demanding termination. In some cases, the male partner controlled decision-making by arranging an unsafe abortion without the woman’s consent. Strategic choices regarding whom to confide in were employed as protection against abortion stigma. This contributed to a culture of silence around abortion and unwanted pregnancy, a factor that made women more vulnerable to complications. Conclusions The findings suggest that financial, social and gender-based dependencies influence women’s agency and perceived options in decision-making regarding abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Rehnström Loi
- Department of Public Health Sciences/IHCAR, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Matilda Lindgren
- Department of Public Health Sciences/IHCAR, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Faxelid
- Department of Public Health Sciences/IHCAR, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Monica Oguttu
- College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.,Kisumu Medical Education Trust (KMET), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Marie Klingberg-Allvin
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.,School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Högskolegatan 2, 791 31, Falun, Sweden
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13
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Rehnström Loi U, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Faxelid E, Klingberg-Allvin M. Health care providers' perceptions of and attitudes towards induced abortions in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia: a systematic literature review of qualitative and quantitative data. BMC Public Health 2015; 15:139. [PMID: 25886459 PMCID: PMC4335425 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-1502-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unsafe abortions are a serious public health problem and a major human rights issue. In low-income countries, where restrictive abortion laws are common, safe abortion care is not always available to women in need. Health care providers have an important role in the provision of abortion services. However, the shortage of health care providers in low-income countries is critical and exacerbated by the unwillingness of some health care providers to provide abortion services. The aim of this study was to identify, summarise and synthesise available research addressing health care providers' perceptions of and attitudes towards induced abortions in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. METHODS A systematic literature search of three databases was conducted in November 2014, as well as a manual search of reference lists. The selection criteria included quantitative and qualitative research studies written in English, regardless of the year of publication, exploring health care providers' perceptions of and attitudes towards induced abortions in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. The quality of all articles that met the inclusion criteria was assessed. The studies were critically appraised, and thematic analysis was used to synthesise the data. RESULTS Thirty-six studies, published during 1977 and 2014, including data from 15 different countries, met the inclusion criteria. Nine key themes were identified as influencing the health care providers' attitudes towards induced abortions: 1) human rights, 2) gender, 3) religion, 4) access, 5) unpreparedness, 6) quality of life, 7) ambivalence 8) quality of care and 9) stigma and victimisation. CONCLUSIONS Health care providers in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia have moral-, social- and gender-based reservations about induced abortion. These reservations influence attitudes towards induced abortions and subsequently affect the relationship between the health care provider and the pregnant woman who wishes to have an abortion. A values clarification exercise among abortion care providers is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Rehnström Loi
- Department of Public Health Sciences/IHCAR, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet/Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Elisabeth Faxelid
- Department of Public Health Sciences/IHCAR, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Marie Klingberg-Allvin
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet/Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.
- School of Education, Health and Social studies, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.
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