TABLE 2.

Study Population by Abortion Characteristic and PAC Visit Variables, Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar (N=412)

MeasureNo. (%)
Timing of care seeking after observing danger signs of complication
1 day110 (26.7)
2 days98 (23.7)
3–4 days99 (24.0)
≥5 days105 (25.0)
Gestational age at onset of complications
≤12 weeks283 (68.7)
13–18 weeks65 (15.8)
≥19 weeks64 (15.5)
Client- Report of Spontaneous or Induced Abortion
Induced52 (12.4)
Spontaneous360 (87.6)
Participants’ prior experience
Ever had an abortion in the past78 (18.9)
Ever received PAC for a previous abortion51 (12.4)
First abortion334 (81.9)
Participants’ recall of desire for the pregnancy leading to their need for PAC
Pregnancy was intended236 (57.3)
Pregnancy was unintended165 (40.1)
 Pregnancy was mistimed (desire to delay)123 (29.9)
 Pregnancy was unwanted (desire to limit)28 (6.8)
Postabortion fertility preferences
Would like to get pregnant immediately92 (22.3)
Would like to get pregnant within 2 years120 (29.1)
Would like to get pregnant again after 2 years100 (24.3)
Would like to cease childbearing completely43 (10.4)
No clear intention for future childbearing32 (7.8)
Ever used a modern family planning method198 (48.1)
Facility type where PAC was received
Regional referral hospital254 (61.2)
District hospital138 (33.4)
Health center20 (4.8)
Waiting time at facility before receiving care for abortion complication
Immediately140 (34.7)
≤30 minutes87 (21.6)
31–120 minutes88 (21.8)
>2 hours88 (21.8)
PAC treatment method used
MVA265 (64.3)
Sharp curettage77 (18.7)
Misoprostol35 (8.5)
Received pain medication
Yes215 (52.2)
No197 (47.8)
Recall of counseling on emergency treatment procedure
MVA clients106 (40.0)
Sharp curettage clients30 (39.0)
Misoprostol clients14 (40.0)
Total150 (36.4)
Recall of other counseling messages
Post-procedure recovery and self-care practices57 (13.8)
Post-procedure danger signs158 (38.4)
STI/HIV11 (2.7)
Postabortion return to fertility113 (27.4)
Recall of postabortion family planning counseling and services
Discussed future fertility intentions with provider55 (13.4)
Discussed contraceptive methods with provider124 (30.1)
Chose and received a modern postabortion contraceptive method72 (17.4)
Condom (male)4 (<1%)
Condom (female)1 (<1%)
Oral contraceptives23 (5.6)
Injectable (Depo Provera)19 (4.6)
Implant5 (1.2)
Intrauterine device18 (4.3)
Tubal ligation2 (<1)
Chose a traditional method6 (1.5)
  • Abbreviations: MVA, manual vacuum aspiration; PAC, postabortion care; STI, sexually transmitted infection.