Associations between abortion services and acceptance of postabortion contraception in six Indian states

Women having induced abortions or receiving postabortion care are at high risk of subsequent unintended pregnancy, and intervals of less than six months between abortion and subsequent pregnancy may be associated with adverse outcomes. We highlight the prevalence of postabortion contraceptive acceptance among women who received abortion care services at health facilities in six Indian states. Eighty-one percent of the women accepted postabortion contraceptive methods. Postabortion contraceptive acceptance was highest among women who were aged 25 years and older, received first-trimester services, attended primary-level health facilities, and had medical abortions. Comprehensive service-delivery interventions, including ensuring availability of skilled providers and contraceptive commodities, offering clinical mentoring for providers, identifying and addressing provider bias, and improving providers’ counseling skills, can increase postabortion contraceptive acceptance and reduce unintended pregnancy.