Background
Untrained abortion providers, non-sterile environments and unsafe procedures can lead to incomplete, infected abortions that can endanger women’s health. Ibanda hospital, in west Uganda, treats around six incomplete abortions per week, which is a high number considering that the hospital is located in a rural area. The standard method of treating incomplete abortions at the hospital has been by using a sharp, metallic curette to scrape out the remains from inside the uterus. Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA), however, is an alternative method which is safer, cheaper and easier to perform.

About the project
This project was created to improve the post-abortion care of patients with incomplete abortions at Ibanda hospital. The project team trained the hospital staff to perform manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) and on how to implement MVA as the main procedure in post-abortion care. The team also purchased MVA equipment and provided supportive supervision to the hospital staff when performing the procedure on their clients, in order to perfect the staff members’ skills and build their confidence.

Results
By the end of the four-month project implementation, 88 patients with incomplete abortions had been treated using MVA. After receiving training and supervision, the hospital staff were able to perform MVAs successfully and with confidence. The women who were treated reported that they were happy with the procedure as it was quick and painless. The majority of the patients were discharged the same day. Lastly, the waiting time for a woman in need of treatment for incomplete abortion was reduced from 48 hours (before the project) to less than eight hours. This was a result of an increased number of hospital staff being equipped with the skills to perform the procedure.

Year: 2006