Study of acceptance of post-abortal contraception in a tertiary care centre

Background: Unsafe abortions is causing about 8% of maternal deaths in India. So, it’s important to use contraception not only for spacing but also to prevent unintended pregnancies. It is well known that fertility is resumed in the immediate cycle following an abortion. Post abortal contraception is very important in preventing pregnancies in the immediate post-abortal period. This study was intended to know the acceptance of post-abortal contraception in women coming for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) or following spontaneous abortion in tertiary care centre. Thus, it is vital to know the choices made by them, to know the method accepted so that it will be helpful in bringing awareness in those who do not opt for post-abortal contraception. Aims and objectives were to study the acceptance rate of post-abortal contraception. Also, to study the method of contraception accepted.Methods: It was a retrospective cohort study from 2018 to 2020 done in Vani Vilas hospital, BMCRI, a tertiary hospital. A total of 2273 patients were enrolled in the study. Data was collected from both 1st trimester and 2nd trimester abortion patients (spontaneous/induced) from the Comprehensive abortion care register. The acceptance and method of contraception accepted was studied. Inclusion criteria were-women coming to tertiary centre for abortion (spontaneous/induced) to Vani Vilas hospital. Exclusion criteria were-Molar pregnancy and Ectopic pregnancy. Demography, educational status, details of spontaneous or induced abortions, parity and gestational age at abortion, the acceptance and methods of contraception accepted were studied.Results: A total of 2273 patients were included in the study of which 738 were MTP and 1535 were cases of spontaneous abortion. 912 (40.12%) were primigravidae and 1361 (59.87%) were multigravida. Various methods of contraceptives were accepted by 1973 (86.80%) patients, whereas 300 (13.19%) did not opt for any method of contraception. Of 1973 patients,176 (7.7%) underwent sterilization.Conclusions: The acceptance rate of post-abortion contraceptive methods was good. Acceptance of COCs and LARC was almost similar in this study. Immediate acceptance of contraception in the post-abortal period is very crucial in reducing unintended pregnancies and abortions hence family planning services after abortion need to be strengthened