The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48299

Richard F. Mason, MPH¹, Maureen Corbett, MIA¹, and Rose Mulindi². (1) Intrah/PRIME II, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 8100, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8100, 919-962-9879, dnelson@intrah.org, (2) Intrah, Norfolk Towers Phase II, Kijabe Street, 00100-Nairobi, Kenya

For the first time, we have a close look at the vital third component of the PAC model in action: linkages between emergency postabortion care and other reproductive health (RH) services. The PRIME II Project conducted a study of the experiences of primary providers of PAC services, PRIME-trained private nurse-midwives in Kenya, in regard to linkages with a wide range of RH services. The study answers: Which services should women be offered or referred for? What linkages should be made with HIV/STI services? What factors should trigger special vigilance from primary providers when they're considering the RH services a woman might need? Through in-depth interviews with 75 midwives practicing PAC, PRIME generated qualitative and quantitative information. Data specific to family planning were collected on emergency contraception and condom use for dual protection. Links with specific RH services were examined: STI/HIV screening, preventive education, testing and treatment, infertility services, cancer screening, and interventions for sexual and domestic violence. The implications of these results will give vital information to organizations preparing to scale up PAC programs at the primary level around the world. The results will have a direct bearing on performance standards for PAC and RH providers, training curricula and materials, referral/counter-referral systems, and providers' service networks. Taking the work a step further, the presentation will include a discussion of the impact of these results on efforts to improve services in Kenya.

Learning Objectives:

• • List current family planning practices of PRIME-trained private midwives with their postabortion clients
  • Recognize the importance of linking postabortion women to other RH services
  • Prioritize what other RH services should be offered to postabortion clients at their initial visit and at subsequent visits
  • Apply the findings of this study in Kenya to their own postabortion care projects in other areas and with other cadres of providers

Keywords: Post-Abortion Care, Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.