Health systems’ preparedness to provide post-abortion care: assessment of health facilities in Burkina Faso, Kenya and Nigeria

Table 1 Description of signal functions for basic and comprehensive PAC services

Signal functions required in order to both basic and comprehensive PAC services (Expected of both
1. Removal of retained products of conception^a
2. Administration of parenteral antibiotics^a
3. Administration of parenteral uterotonics^a
4. Administration of intravenous fluids^b
5. Provision of at least one modern, short acting family planning method at time of survey^b
Signal functions for basic PAC (only in primary health facilities)
6. Availability of a vehicle with fuel to transport patients needing referral ^b
7. Availability of staff capable of undertaking normal deliveries (present/on duty or on call for 24 h/7 days a week
Signal functions for comprehensive PAC (only in referral facilities)
8. Administration of blood transfusion^a
9. Conducting major abdominal surgery such as laparotomy and Hysterectomy (proxied with provision of caesarean section)^a
10. Provision of at least one long-acting, reversible or permanent family planning method^b
11. Has staff capable of doing caesarean sections on duty or who are on call for 24 h per day, 7 days per week^c

Source: Owolabi et al., (2019) [23]
^aHealth facilities reported whether they were providing the service
^bHealth facilities indicated availability of drugs or equipment, and also indicated the validity or functionality of the given item
^cThis was premised on availability of staff capable of conducting caesarean sections (would also capable of doing normal deliveries)

ISSN: 1472-6963