The effects of interventions to integrate long‐acting reversible contraception with treatment for incomplete abortion: Results of a 6‐year interrupted time series analysis in hospitals in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar

Abstract

Objective To evaluate an intervention that aimed at strengthening voluntary access to long‐acting reversible contraception (LARC) within postabortion care (PAC) in hospitals in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Methods From 2016 to 2018, we conducted PAC quality improvement interventions, emphasizing family planning (FP) counseling and voluntary access to LARC. Researchers conducted an interrupted time‐series analysis of service statistics compiled from 2014 to 2020 using segmented linear mixed effects regression models to assess the interventions' effect on postabortion contraceptive uptake. Results The intervention in mainland Tanzania was associated with an immediate 38% increase in postabortion LARC uptake, a trend that declined from late 2016 to mid‐2020 to 34%. In Zanzibar, the intervention was associated with a gradual increase in LARC uptake that peaked in late 2018 at 23% and stabilized at approximately 15% by mid‐2020. Whereas the interventions in mainland facilities did not generate significant changes in postabortion FP uptake overall, the launch of interventions in Zanzibar in mid‐2016 was associated with a precipitous rise in that outcome over time, which plateaued at approximately 54% by 2019. Conclusion Increased voluntary uptake of postabortion contraception was associated with the introduction of training in PAC, including FP, and quality improvement interventions and gains were sustained over time.