Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2003

Abstract

Unsafe abortion is a serious public health problem in Bolivia, accounting for up to 25 percent of maternal mortality. Postabortion care (PAC) was recognized as a priority public health action in Bolivia in 1994 and the operations research project summarized in this report was undertaken at the request of the Ministry of Health to help guide the improvement of PAC services in the country’s revised health plan. Improvements were made in the following areas: informing women of their health status after the uterine evacuation procedure; elements of the procedure itself (instrument to be used, pain control, possible risks); and informing women where to seek care in case of problems after leaving the hospital. A great deal of work remains to be done in the areas of information, counseling, and contraceptive service delivery before these services can be sustained. On a national level, work that has been initiated in primary and secondary levels of care needs to continue to make services more widely available to women and less costly to the health system.

DOI

10.31899/rh4.1124

Language

English

Project

Frontiers in Reproductive Health

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