 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Gabriela Schwed, MPH, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, 434 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001, 212-261-4774, gabriela.schwed@ppfa.org
Although, there has been a great deal of discussion regarding the impact that access to safe abortion and post abortion care services have on maternal mortality/morbidity, there has been very little documented on this impact in countries where safe abortion services are mostly illegal. This presentation will discuss the accomplishments of a five year program between Planned Parenthood Federation of America International (PPFAI) an the Kisumu Medical Educational Trust (KMET), a nongovernmental organization based in Kenya, to combat the high maternal mortality/morbidity rates in Western Kenya, Kisumu. The program trained and created a network of private practitioners (over 100), mid level providers and community based fieldworkers, in comprehensive reproductive health services, including the provision of safe abortion services, in rural, low cost settings. One of the program’s achievements was the decrease of maternal mortality and morbidity in the areas served. This program is a great example of what can be achieved in the advancement of women’s sexual and reproductive health by increasing the capability of mid level providers to provide comprehensive reproductive health services and creating a network of multi level providers and community health workers, who team up to combat the high rates of maternal mortality. The presentation will focus on best practices, strategies and accomplishments of the program.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Abortion, Access and Services
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.