Post-abortion care (PAC) is a package of lifesaving interventions that combines maternal healthcare (emergency treatment for complications of induced or spontaneous abortion) with voluntary contraceptive counselling and service delivery. When PAC is accessible, affordable, high quality, and carried out by capable healthcare providers, it can prevent maternal deaths and disabilities and improve access to contraception.
The revised curriculum builds on an earlier version published in 2010, authored by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) PAC Working Group. EngenderHealth managed the updating and revision of this crucial resource for PAC capacity building, with support from partners who field-tested and provided feedback on the previous edition. The curriculum incorporates updates from key resources and evidence from decades of PAC programming and implementation research worldwide. They have removed outdated practices, incorporated critical clinical updates, added detailed considerations around working with youth, and streamlined the narrative to improve understanding and skills acquisition.
The curriculum includes: (1) Trainer Guide with detailed information for facilitating the course; (2) Participant Guide containing exercises and activities, practice checklists; (3) Reference Manual that supplements the trainer and participant guides by offering detailed information that participating service providers may refer to throughout the training and as they offer PAC to clients after completing the training; and (4) PowerPoint slide decks aligning with the Reference Manual for trainers to employ when facilitating the course.
The curriculum consists of four modules:
- Module 1 explains the importance of PAC and its components—including emergency obstetric care, contraceptive care, and community mobilization. This module also serves to help providers reflect upon how their own values may affect the care they provide.
- Module 2 focuses on emergency treatment, detailing different uterine evacuation methods and providing guidance for managing pain and addressing complications.
- Module 3 focuses on contraceptive provision as well as evaluation and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections—emphasizing the benefits of integrated care.
- Module 4 describes key principles of infection prevention relevant to the provision of PAC. These infection prevention practices are critical to minimizing risks to clients, healthcare workers, and the community.
Visit the PAC Curriculum page for details.
SOURCE: WorldPopList, E-mail by Vandana Tripathi, 31 July 2024