Family planning counselling--a priority for post abortion care.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of providing contraceptive care to post abortal women.

DESIGN: This was a descriptive study in which data were collected through subject interviews.

SETTING: Women presenting with complications of abortion at Harare and Parirenyatwa Hospitals, Harare.

SUBJECTS: 2,050 women with complications of abortion.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Use of a contraceptive method before and after the intervention.

RESULTS: Basic characteristics are similar to those reported previously. Seventy six per cent were not using any form of contraception prior to pregnancy. After the intervention 97% were discharged with a contraceptive method of their choice.

CONCLUSIONS: The results emphasize the importance of family planning in the prevention of unplanned pregnancies and the need to make these services easily available and accessible. Emphasis should initially be on eliminating need for abortion by provision of adequate family planning services.