Documenting the Economic Cost of Unsafe Abortion among Post-Abortion Care Patients in Uganda

Aparna Sundaram, Guttmacher Institute
Michael Vlassoff, Guttmacher Institute
Charles Kiggundu, Makerere University
Florence Mirembe, Makerere University
Leo Amanya, Independent Researcher

Due to a large unmet need for modern contraception, there is a gap between wanted and actual fertility in Uganda, and many women resort to abortion to meet their fertility goals. However, abortion in Uganda is legally restricted, making a majority of the abortions clandestine and unsafe. The dangerous consequences of unsafe abortion take an economic toll on women and their households. Not only do these women have to pay for the abortion, they also have to pay for the treatment of its complications, and may remain out of productive employment or care for their families for the duration of their ill-health. Using data from a primary survey in Uganda, we examine the economic burden of unsafe abortion to women and their households. We expect to find that the economic consequences will be strongest for the poorest women, who are more likely to slip deeper into poverty because of it.