Expanding access to medical abortion services among adolescent and young women using task sharing approach: Case study of Private Public Partnership in Kenya

Susan Ontiri, International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya
Felix Otieno, Internatinal Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya
Abel Mokua, International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya
Davis Oenga, International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya

Maternal mortality and morbidity from unsafe abortion constitutes a serious challenge even though unsafe abortion is preventable. This is further exacerbated among adolescents and young women. This study that was conducted in four counties in Kenya, explored enabling factors and barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, specifically medical abortion (MA), among adolescent girls and young women in private pharmacies within the context of task sharing. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with AGYW, key informant interviews with providers and health management teams, and focus group discussions with community health promoters and youth peer providers. Study findings indicated that strategic partnerships with private pharmacies and public health facilities, coupled with referral pathways facilitated by community health promoters and youth peer educators, significantly enhanced service coverage and accessibility. Increased number of facilities, subsidized SRH commodities, capacity building initiatives for healthcare providers further improved service quality and affordability and. However, financial constraints, a restrictive legal environment, negative societal perceptions, staff turnover, referral difficulties and concerns about documentation hindered access to MA services. Addressing these challenges through comprehensive integrated interventions is crucial to ensure equitable and accessible SRH services including MA for adolescent girls and young women.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Health and Morbidity, Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Qualitative data/methods/approaches

See extended abstract.