Safe abortion: WHO technical and policy guidance

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Global Health Policy
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• An estimated 20 million unsafe induced abortions occur annually, causing 67,000 deaths.
• Unsafe abortions disproportionately affect developing countries, representing 95% of cases.
• Legal abortion is permitted in most countries, often to save a woman's life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide technical and policy guidance for health systems on safe abortion.
• To address the public health challenge posed by unsafe abortions globally.
• To offer strategies for improving clinical care and service accessibility for abortion procedures.

Main Methods:

• The guidance focuses on legally permissible abortion procedures within national contexts.
• It addresses unsafe abortion as a public health issue requiring systemic interventions.
• The document explores legal and policy frameworks relevant to safe abortion.

Main Results:

• The handbook offers strategies for enhancing clinical care for women undergoing abortions.
• It emphasizes the appropriate placement of essential reproductive health services.
• Annexes provide resources on international consensus, manual vacuum aspiration, and contraception.

Conclusions:

• Safe abortion is a critical public health concern requiring comprehensive health system strategies.
• Policy and improved clinical practices are essential to reduce mortality from unsafe abortions.
• The guidance serves as a resource for implementing safe abortion services globally.