Quality Post-Abortion Care Services in the Greater Accra Region

Abstract

The provision of high-quality post-abortion care (PAC) services is critical to reducing maternal mortality since it is a key component in lowering abortion-related morbidity and mortality. However, there is paucity in literature pertaining to the synthesis between PAC service providers and of the clients‟ views on quality PAC services. The study assessed the quality of PAC services in Greater Accra. The study adopted the interpretivist philosophical position to social sciences research. Primary data was collected from 34 PAC clients and service providers selected from 7 health facilities. Data was managed and managed using QSR NVivo 12 plus computer software. The analyses followed the thematic analytic procedures. The results showed that quality of PAC services is based on three dimensions of quality which are structural, process and outcome. The ability of health facilities to provide an enabling environment for privacy and confidentiality was a key component of structural quality. The low doctor to patient ratio affected the provision of prompt attention to clients. Concerning process quality, PAC was provided with the client-centred approach. This was, however, affected when the proportion of clients outweighed the service providers. Regarding the outcome dimension of quality PAC services, both service providers and clients consider the PAC services to be of quality; however, they held divergent views on what constitutes the quality of PAC services. It is therefore recommended that the management of health facilities take steps to ensure all health facilities have an enabling environment for the provision of PAC services.