The changing landscape for abortion care after legal reform in Ethiopia: a description of abortion care and morbidity from abortion complications, 2008 & 2014

Yohannes Dibaba Wado, Ipas, Ethiopia
Tamara Fetters, Ipas
Yirgu Gebrehiwot, Addis Ababa University
Hailemichael Gebreselassie, Ipas
Ann M. Moore, Guttmacher Institute
Mengistu H. Mariam, Government of Ethiopia
Akinrinola Bankole, Guttmacher Institute
Yonas Getachew, Ipas, Ethiopia

This research provides a national description of abortion care and morbidity in 2014 and 2008 to assess changes in the intervening years. A stratified multi-stage sampling design was used to provide national representation from all regions and sectors. Data on all women seeking terminations (TOP) or care for complications (PAC) were collected from 1,932 women seeking PAC and 6,976 women seeking TOP in 2008 and 2,898 women seeking PAC and 2,707 seeking TOP in 2014. Data were weighted, annualized to create national estimates; bivariate analysis was conducted to examine associations between the study years. This research explores abortion morbidity longitudinally and assesses the impact of policy reform over time. Results indicate that legal abortions in health facilities more than doubled, with non-NGO facilities providing half of these procedures. While abortion care provision increased exponentially between 2008 and 2014, the eradication of morbidity due to unsafe abortion remains a far-off goal.