Improved Access to Safe Abortion Care (IASAC) Karnataka India.

Pathfinder undertook baseline and endline surveys of providers and women to track the results of the IASAC project activities. Significant changes were documented in the proportion of women who knew that abortion is safer when sought early in pregnancy and in the proportion of women who adopted postabortion contraception. The availability of quality MVA and MMA services increased significantly. There was also a growing demand for training from providers in adjoining districts. This report documents the lessons learned from this pilot project and makes recommendations for the Indian Ministry of Health medical associations medical colleges and other professional colleagues involved in promoting womens reproductive health and safe abortion. With immediate changes in the law aggressive public education efforts and the participation of faculty of medical colleges broad changes were achieved. Using the Pathfinder-proven approach of training private practitioners first through preservice training of medical students and later through inservice training of providers in their own clinics reduction in mortality and morbidity from abortion could be achieved in a relatively short period of time. Through comprehensive and culturally sensitive community outreach women can be informed first about the availability and advantages of contraception as well as the important steps they must take when they need to obtain a safe abortion. (excerpt)