Population Council Research that makes a difference

XXVII IUSSP International Population Conference
26–31 August

Abstract

"Changing pattern of care seeking for abortion complications: Do poor Pakistani women have better options now?"
Zakir Hussain Shah and Zeba Sathar

Background
In 2002, Pakistani women experienced 2.4 million unintended pregnancies; nearly 900,000 were terminated by induced abortion. Each year 200,000 women experience serious health complications in Pakistan due to unsafe abortions. This paper will use data from two national studies to analyze the changes in pattern of resort to post-abortion care (PAC) services over time.

Methods
Two cross sectional surveys were conducted in 2002 and 2012. Face to face interviews were conducted on a structured questionnaire with 154 and 102 health professionals (HPs) and service providers (SP) of 261 and 266 health facilities (HFs). The data is drawn from the HP’s study.

Results
The probability of receiving PAC has increased for women; more so for poor women. Fewer HPs now thought that women would resort to doctors in government facilities for PAC compared to 2002. Difference is more pronounced for urban poor (79% v 91%) and rural poor (78% v 86%). Even for urban and rural non-poor the trend has shifted downwards (37% v 46% and 51% v 55%). More women would resort to doctor in private facilities except rural poor who would seek traditional service providers e.g. TBAs.

Conclusions
There is a shift in pattern of resort for seeking PAC from public to private SPs by HPs perspective. Rural poor women are resorting to less skilled SPs for PAC.

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