Recorded presentation

Alyson G. Hyman, MPH, Training and Service Delivery Improvement, Ipas, 300 Market Street, Suite 200, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, 919-960-5579, hymana@ipas.org

Woman-centered comprehensive abortion care (CAC) is a model for providing abortion services that takes into account the various factors that influence a woman’s individual health needs, her personal circumstances, and ability to access services. The three key elements of the model are choice, access and quality. The main objectives of the CAC model are: • To provide safe, high-quality, affordable and acceptable services to women • To decentralize services to the most local level possible • To understand each woman’s social circumstances and individual needs and tailor her care accordingly • To reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies and abortions • To identify and serve women with other sexual or reproductive health needs • To be affordable and sustainable to health systems. This paper will present the conceptual model for CAC, discuss its key elements, and provide programmatic examples of the implementation of the CAC approach in Vietnam and India.

Operationalizing the CAC model is an important step at translating the 1999 five-year review of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD+5) mandate into reality:

“In circumstances where abortion is not against the law, health systems should train and equip health-service providers and should take other measures to ensure that such abortion is safe and accessible. Additional measures should be taken to safeguard women’s health.” (paragraph 63iii)

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the theoretical model of woman-centered comprehensive abortion care (CAC).
• List the 3 key elements of the CAC model.
• Articulate the main objectives of the CAC model.

Keywords: Abortion, Access and Services

Related Web page: www.ipas.org

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.

Recorded presentation