Background
Unsafe abortion is one of the main causes of maternal mortality and morbidity. The abortion law in Kenya is highly restrictive and contraceptive use is low, which leads many women to have illegal abortions performed by unqualified staff or in unsanitary environments. The Provincial General Hospital in Nakuru receives at least 10 clients every day with incomplete abortions. These women often wait over 24 hours at the hospital before they are treated and are usually not offered contraceptives after the procedure, nor are they given a chance to know their HIV status.

About the project
This project was created to provide comprehensive post-abortal care to clients at the Provincial General Hospital in Nakuru. The project team held monthly meetings with the staff from the gyneacology ward in order to understand the problems they were facing and discuss how to improve their post-abortal services. The staff members were then trained on manual vacuum aspiration and updated their knowledge on family planning methods. Contraceptives, HIV testing kits, information brochures and other necessary equipment was brought in and stocked in the clinic.

Results
By the end of the project, the waiting time for women with incomplete abortions was reduced from 24 hours to 2 hours. With their boosted skills, the midwives were able to do the procedure as soon as the client presented and the equipment was always ready for use. Before the project, 5% of the clients would choose a contraceptive method before being discharged. After the project, this number had increased to 75%. Voluntary counseling and testing for HIV was implemented as routine offer and by the end of the project, 55% of the clients made use of this service. One of the big successes with the project was the positive change of attitude amongst the hospital staff, which made the clients feel less stigmatized and more comfortable in seeking help.

Year: 2006