Research Snapshot: Attention is needed to provide good quality post-abortion care services

This Research Snapshot provides a two page summary of the research study, led by Columbia University and International Medical Corps, “Overcoming Challenges To Accessing Quality Post‐Abortion Care In Humanitarian Crises.”The study explored factors that influence access to, use and provision of Post-abortion care (PAC) services in South Sudan and Afghanistan. Guidance and insights are provided on how humanitarian actors can improve PAC programming in humanitarian settings. This Snapshot summarises:

• Background to the research and how the research was conducted,
• Key findings,
• Implications for humanitarian practitioners and policymakers,
• Recommendations,
• Further reading.

Attention is needed to provide good quality post-abortion care services. Post-abortion care (PAC) is a critical life-saving intervention that is often severely lacking in humanitarian settings. Humanitarian health actors should support health workers to provide PAC, including post-abortion contraception. Despite widespread abortion stigma, community attitudes are complex and our study showed a clear opening to address community attitudes and stigma that prevent women from seeking PAC.