Identified need for improving post abortion care in Namibia

Abstract

Globally, about 75 million women have undergone abortions which is either induced or spontaneous and require post abortion care (PAC). Out of the 75 million abortions, 44 million are induced, while 31 million are miscarriages which occur spontaneously. Furthermore, half of the induced abortions are performed by unskilled people in a non-hygienic environment which make them unsafe and dangerous to the women.The World Health Organization recommends that all women who had abortion should receive PAC to prevent ill health and deaths related to complications of abortions. However, in Namibia, the status of PAC is unknown as there is no study conducted in this regard. Moreover, PAC is only conducted by medical doctors in the district hospitals and no nurses or midwives are trained on PAC services. A mini literature review was conducted on PAC globally and in Namibia.