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Rasha Dabash, MPH1, Rebecca Koladycz, MA2, Rupal Sanghvi, MPH3, Giselle Carino2, Melanie Peña, MA, MPH1, Victoria Ward, PhD4, and Beverly Winikoff, MD, MPH1. (1) Gynuity Health Projects, 15 East 26th Street, Suite 1609, New York, NY 10010, 212-228-1230, bwinikoff@gynuity.org, (2) International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region, 120 Wall Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10005-3902, (3) International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region, IPPF/WHR, 120 Wall Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10005, (4) International Planned Parenthood Federation, Western Hemisphere Region, Inc, 120 Wall Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10005-3905
In Latin America and the Caribbean, where most countries have severely restrictive abortion laws and access to safe abortion is limited, complications of unsafe abortions are one of the major causes of maternal mortality. To inform IPPF/WHR regional activities aimed at increasing women’s sexual and reproductive health rights and reducing the burden of unsafe abortion, a quantitative survey was administered to staff and volunteers at IPPF/WHR affiliates. Given the importance of staff experiences and perceptions in shaping services, the research aimed to assess existing knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to abortion and the provision of abortion services, including elective abortions and post-abortion care.
Findings reveal variability in staff knowledge and attitudes about unwanted pregnancy and abortion. Staff understanding and beliefs about existing legislation governing women’s legal access to abortion services varied in and among affiliates. Similarly, provider attitudes and understanding of medical eligibility criteria and clinical guidelines governing access to services and care were not standard, nor were provider perceptions of the safety and efficacy of, and preference for various surgical and medical methods of abortion induction and treatment.
Despite some concerns about potential challenges to expanding abortion services, staff and volunteers perceived a need for, and interest in broadening the range of abortion services offered. To address existing gaps, participants cited increased staff training and institutional capacity as key inputs to an initiative aimed at expanding services and reducing maternal deaths.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Abortion, Latin American
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.