Availability, use and quality of care for medical abortion services in private facilities in Kenya

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. With the passing of a new constitution in 2010, there was renewed interest in the right to health and the need to reduce the high levels of maternal morbidity and mortality arising from unsafe abortion in the country. In spite of recent developments, there is limited understanding of the extent to which the changes have influenced the provision of medical abortion information and services in the country, the acceptability of the practice among providers and clients, and the content of care offered. Implications of the findings indicate a need for: widespread dissemination of the existing policies and guidelines regarding abortion among private providers to ensure that they offer services within existing regulations; improvement of the supply chain for medical abortion drugs in private clinics; and strategies to improve the capacity of private providers to offer appropriate family planning services to clients seeking abortion, especially long-term methods given the high rate of repeat abortions