The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA
4065.0: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - 9:45 AM

Abstract #49038

New estimates on the incidence of abortion in Peru has implications on postabortion care (PAC) programs

Delicia Ferrando, MA, Pathfinder International, 9 Galen Street, Suite 217, Watertown, MA 02472, 617.924.7200, ghainsworth@pathfind.org

In Peru because abortion is illegal, most abortions are performed clandestinely therefore official data on its magnitude is unavailable. This dearth of information affects the development of policies and strategies to address the problem of unsafe abortion and its contribution to maternal mortality.

In 1994, based on hospital records from 1989, the Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI) prepared the first estimates on abortions in Peru. According to this study, by the end of the 1980s there were 271,000 induced abortions annually. This figure was officially adopted and used for almost ten years by public and private sector organizations. Recognizing that significant changes had occurred in the population and in reproductive health practices, the Centro de la Mujer Peruana Flora Tristan and Pathfinder International decided to conduct an updated study.

Although the methodology used to determine estimates of induced abortions has limitations, overall there is agreement that these new estimates are useful in the design of reproductive health policy initiatives. The study estimates that as of the year 2000, 350,000 induced abortions will occur annually in Peru. The findings also highlight a change in techniques used to induce abortion. Extremely dangerous methods used a decade ago, such as the use of catheters, are now being replaced with safer techniques (i.e., the use of prostaglandins and MVA).

While there has been an increase in the number of women presenting with incomplete abortions, there has been a decrease in abortion-related complications, therefore highlighting the need to strengthen the counseling and postabortion FP aspects of PAC.

Learning Objectives: Learning objectives