a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f oKeywords: DMPA FIGO initiative Gabon Long-acting reversible contraceptives Postabortion contraception Prevention Unsafe abortion A prospective, descriptive, analytic study was conducted at the Centre Hospitalier de Libreville in Gabon between February and September 2013 to evaluate acceptance of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) and depotmedroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) following abortion. Women received counseling on the combined oral pill, DMPA, copper intrauterine devices (IUDs), and implants. The association between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, knowledge of contraceptives, and acceptance was analyzed. Of the 383 women admitted with abortion complications, 206 (53.7%) knew of no systemic contraceptives. The best-known method was the oral pill (42.0%). Only 14 women (3.6%) knew of a LARC method (IUD or implants) and only 2 (0.5%) said the injectable was their best-known method. Over 90% accepted a modern contraceptive method after abortion. Two-thirds (66.8%) chose the pill, 14.6% DMPA, and 9.3% a LARC method. Only 9.1% of the women refused to initiate use of any method.
Abortion‐related fatalities decreased from 12.3 per 1000 abortions to 0.7 per 1000 following an intervention at the Centre Hospitalier de Libreville, Gabon. After discontinuation of the intervention, fatalities reverted to previous levels.
LARCs were inserted more often after the 2 nd day than immediately (same day) with a highly significant difference (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: LARCs could constitute an appropriate approach to reducing unintended pregnancies in Gabon. However, in order to increase their rates of use, it is necessary to improve women awareness.
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