Improving Postabortion Care: Reflections from Sri Lanka

Abstract

ABSTRACT Women who have experienced complications from miscarriage and unsafely induced abortions are among the most neglected of reproductive healthcare patients. In Sri Lanka and, the highest abortion rate of 67/1000 was recorded among women in the 35 to 39 years age. Long-term consequences, such as chronic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal occlusion, leading to secondary subfertility may result following abortions, and medical treatment remains a crucial component of care. Delay in seeking care, when complications occur, is an important contributory factor leading to death of these patients. The infrastructure to make PAC services widely available usually lack in most of the developing countries. Emotional support, psychosocial counseling and provision of other reproductive services when necessary, following abortion have been shown to improve women's reproductive health and quality of their lives. Care providers need to be supportive and should ensure the confidentiality and there is a need to strengthen the existing contraception service delivery system. PAC services should be continuously reviewed and appropriate changes should be made whenever necessary. Implementation is hindered by lack of awareness of national policies, overburdened and understaff, lack of staff skilled in counseling and supervision and poor contraceptive logistics. Working in partnership, regular training, incorporation of PAC in preservice curricula is important to achieve universal access to sustainable high-quality PAC. How to cite this article Priyanwada PR, Lakshmen S. Improving Postabortion Care: Reflections from Sri Lanka. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2013;5(2):72-75.