Unintended pregnancy, induced abortion and abortion care-seeking experiences among adolescents in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To estimate age-specific abortion incidence and unintended pregnancy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo and compare care experiences between adolescents (15-19 years) and older women (20-49 years).

Design: We used the age-specific variant of the Abortion Incidence Complications Method to estimate abortion and unintended pregnancy, with data from three primary sources: Health Facility Survey (n=361) provided postabortion care (PAC) caseloads; Prospective Morbidity Survey (n=1031) provided the age distribution and characteristics of women presenting for PAC and Health Professional Survey (n=115) provided an estimate of the proportion of abortions resulting in facility-based treatment of complications. Bivariate (χ, t-test) and multivariable (binary logistic regression, Cox proportional hazard) analyses were used to compare abortion care experiences.

The Severity and Management of Complications Among Postabortion Patients Treated in Kinshasa Health Facilities.

Context: Unsafe abortion is common in Kinshasa, which contributes to high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. Little is known about the complications and treatment experienced by women seeking postabortion care at health facilities in the city.

Methods: Data from 867 women admitted to a sample of health facilities providing postabortion care in Kinshasa in 2016 were drawn from a Prospective Morbidity Survey.

The incidence of induced abortion in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, 2016.

Background: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the penal code prohibits the provision of abortion. In practice, however, it is widely accepted that the procedure can be performed to save the life of a pregnant woman. Although abortion is highly restricted, anecdotal evidence indicates that women often resort to clandestine abortions, many of which are unsafe.