Setting the research agenda for induced abortion in Africa and Asia

Rachel H. Scott, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Veronique Filippi, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Ann M. Moore, Guttmacher Institute Rajib Acharya, Population Council Akinrinola Bankole, Guttmacher Institute Clara Calvert, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Kathryn Church, Marie Stopes International Jenny A. Cresswell, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Katharine Footman, Marie Stopes International Joanne Gleason, Population Council Kazuyo Machiyama, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Cicely Marston, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Mike Mbizvo, Population Council Maurice Musheke, Population Council Onikepe Owolabi, Guttmacher Institute Jennifer Palmer, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Christopher Smith, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Katerini Storeng, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Felicia Yeung, Independent Consultant

First published on International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics:

| DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.12525
Abstract / Summary

Provision of safe abortion is widely recognized as vital to addressing the health and wellbeing of populations. Research on abortion is essential to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Researchers in population health from university, policy, and practitioner contexts working on two multidisciplinary projects on family planning and safe abortion in Africa and Asia were brought together for a workshop to discuss the future research agenda on induced abortion. Research on care‐seeking behavior, supply of abortion care services, and the global and national policy context will help improve access to and experiences of safe abortion services. A number of areas have potential in designing intervention strategies, including clinical innovations, quality improvement mechanisms, community involvement, and task sharing. Research on specific groups, including adolescents and young people, men, populations affected by conflict, marginalized groups, and providers could increase understanding of provision, access to and experiences of induced abortion. Methodological and conceptual advances, for example in the measurement of induced abortion incidence, complications, and client satisfaction, conceptualizations of induced abortion access and care, and methods for follow‐up of patients who have induced abortions, will improve the accuracy of measurements of induced abortion, and add to understanding of women's experiences of induced abortions and abortion care.

Topic

Global

Geography