Availability, use and quality of care for medical abortion services in private facilities in Kenya
Abstract
The overall goal of this study was to generate evidence on the availability, use and quality of care for medical abortion services in private facilities (pharmacies and clinics) in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to: (1) understand the contextual and programmatic factors that influence or are likely to influence the provision of medical abortion services in Kenya; (2) explore the perspectives (positive and negative) of various stakeholders about abortion generally and the provision of medical abortion services specifically; (3) assess the availability of Mifepristone and Misoprostol or other abortifacient as well as the skills and practices of private providers; (4) examine the knowledge and attitudes of private providers regarding Mifepristone and Misoprostol or other abortifacients; (5) determine the characteristics, choices and perceptions of clients seeking abortion services from private clinics; and (6) explore the information and services given to clients seeking medical abortion services from private pharmacies and clinics.
The study involved: (1) key informant interviews with 19 senior managers from national and locally-based international institutions representing policy, program, research and donor interests in reproductive health in general and medical abortion in particular; (2) structured interviews with 235 pharmacy workers in 235 private pharmacies; (3) 401 simulated client visits to 142 private pharmacies whose workers participated in the structured interviews; (4) structured interviews with 45 in-charges of private clinics; (5) 141 observations of client-provider interactions during consultations in 32 of the 45 private clinics; and (6) 125 exit interviews with clients seeking abortion services in the 32 private clinics.
The sections of this report are divided into three major parts based on the key institutions that were included in the study, namely, organizations with interest in reproductive health, private pharmacies, and private clinics. Each part provides a brief introduction including the objectives of gathering information from the institutions, methods, key findings and implications of the findings.
Citation
Liambila, W.; Obare, F.; Ikiugu, E.; Akora, V.; Njunguru, J.; Njuma, M.; Reiss, K.; Birungi, H. Availability, use and quality of care for medical abortion services in private facilities in Kenya. Population Council and Marie StopesInternational, Nairobi, Kenya (2015) 45 pp.
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