Replication of the Community Mobilization for Postabortion Care (COMMPAC) model in Naivasha District, Rift Valley Province, Kenya: An evaluation report

Maternal health complications including those arising from unsafe abortion and miscarriage are a leading cause of morbidity among women in Kenya. The Rift Valley Province in particular has had the highest level of abortion-related outpatient morbidity in the country since at least 2003. In response to the need for interventions to prevent unintended pregnancies and ensure quality care for women with post abortion complications the RESPOND Project replicated an existing intervention previously tested under the ACQUIRE Project. The intervention package known as the Community Mobilization for Post abortion Care (COMMPAC) intervention aimed at increasing awareness and use of post abortion care (PAC) services and improving family planning (FP) reproductive health and maternal health outcomes. RESPOND worked with districts and communities to: strengthen delivery points to provide PAC services; conduct community mobilization to improve community involvement in and knowledge the prevention and treatment of post abortion complications; build community capacity to address needs related to PAC; and encourage involvement in community action of those most marginalized and affected by post abortion complications. The interventions were carried out in three communities in Naivasha District Rift Valley Province over an 18-month period from July 2010 to December 2011. This report summarizes the key results emerging from an evaluation assessing the effects of the COMMPAC interventions.