Background: Unsafe abortions contribute to 13% of maternal mortality ratio in the
developing countries. The United Republic of Tanzania is part of the developing
countries and has a maternal mortality ration of 454 per 100,000 live births (TDHS
2010). Zanzibar being part of the United Republic of Tanzania has an institutional
estimate of maternal mortality ratio of 284 per 100,000 live births (MOH, 2011). Access
to Post Abortion Care and Family Planning services within health system frame work is
crucial to the reduction of abortions and complications hence reducing maternal
mortality.
Objective: To describe how Counseling for Family Planning services to Post Abortion
clients enhance usage of modern contraceptives.
Methods: Health facility based Cross-Sectional evaluation design was applied to
describe the factors influencing the usage of contraceptives among post abortion clients.
A total of 62 exit post abortion clients and 31 service providers from all three major
hospitals of Unguja Islands were involved in this evaluation.
Results: 51.61% service providers reported to have attended short courses/training on
knowledge and skills for provision of comprehensive post abortion care services which
include counseling for family planning services. Out of service providers trained, only
43.75% provide family planning services to post abortion clients. A total of 62 exit post
abortion clients participated in this evaluation. Only 38(61.29%) responded to have
been counseled for family planning and 28(73.68%) accepted to use contraceptives.
Conclusion: The results reveal that most of the post abortion clients did not receive
counseling for family planning before discharge. All service providers should be trained
on Counseling for family planning and provision of post abortion care services. Also
provision of family planning services to post abortion clients should be an integral part
of management of post abortion care services.