Guttmacher Institute- Documenting the incidence and impact of induced abortion in Malawi

This is a collaborative study between College of Medicine – Centre for Reproductive Health and the Guttmacher Institute. The goal of this project is to improve reproductive health and reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in Malawi. This study will provide new evidence on the incidence of abortion in Malawi and health consequences of unsafe abortion and also increase awareness among key stakeholders of the need for new strategies to prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce unsafe abortions in Malawi. Specifically the study will provide new evidence on the incidence of abortion in Malawi, and the health consequences of unsafe abortion; update information from existing data (from a study conducted in 2009) and examine characteristics of women who seek post-abortion care in facilities; and increase awareness among key stakeholders of the need for new strategies to prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce unsafe abortion in Malawi, in partnership with communications partners. COM has recently signed a grant amounting to 150, 460 USD to implement this study over a period of 18 months running from September, 2015 to March 2017.

• Key project staff: Dr. Chisale Mhango (PI); Associate Prof. Alister Munthali; Mrs. Effie Chipeta; Dr. Chelsea Polis (Co-PI, Guttmacher Institute); Ms Wanangwa Chimwaza and Jesse Philbin (Guttmacher Institute).
• Partners from Guttmacher will visit COM-CRH in October for to conduct training of Research Assistants and then field work for 6-7 weeks.

a)A group photo of the Abortion Incidence research team: Oct. 2015 b) Team Training prior to field work:Oct. 2015