Abortion Incidence and Postabortion Care in Rwanda

ABSTRACT

Abortion is illegal in Rwanda except when necessary to protect a woman's physical health or to save her life. Many women in Rwanda obtain unsafe abortions; and some experience health complications as a result. To estimate the incidence of induced abortion; we conducted a national sample survey of health facilities that provide postabortion care and a purposive sample survey of key informants knowledgeable about abortion conditions. We found that more than 16;700 women received care for complications resulting from induced abortion in Rwanda in 2009; or 7 per 1;000 women aged 15-44. Approximately 40 percent of abortions are estimated to lead to complications requiring treatment; but about a third of those who experienced a complication did not obtain treatment. Nationally; the estimated induced abortion rate is 25 abortions per 1;000 women aged 15-44; or approximately 60;000 abortions annually. An urgent need exists in Rwanda to address unmet need for contraception; to strengthen family planning services; to broaden access to legal abortion; and to improve postabortion care. (StudieS in Family Planning 2012; 43[1] 11-20)