Safe Abortion Module Guide
The Health Services Report captures safe abortion service delivery on a monthly basis. All service data are disaggregated by Channel : Franchise Facility, Service Delivery Partner, or PSI Direct Service Provision. For franchise facilities and service delivery partners, only services that meet PSI’s criteria for service delivery through partners can be reported. For detailed definitions of these channels and channel types, please click here: https://helppsi.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/14000014984-common-data-element-definitions
Why collect these data?
The Safe Abortion services module collects information on services provided to clients and the products used to provide them. This data is useful for a variety of programmatic and reporting applications:
Internally , these data provide important trend data on service delivery at the global level. Programmatic trends help to identify both challenges and successes; areas that need greater attention and support as well as opportunities for platform-to-platform assistance. These data are also key inputs for proposals, further ensuring safe abortion program advancement and strengthening through new funding.
Externally , these data will allow PSI to leverage its network to contribute to global discussions about maternal health service delivery, particularly in the private sector. These programmatic data, aggregated across all PSI programs, are critical to global discussions and advocacy for safe abortion rights.
Impact Estimation (e.g. DALYs averted, maternal deaths averted): In each table, we have noted where data will be used to estimate impact.
The table below outlines the module’s data tables and their corresponding data elements:
Safe Abortion Services | Data Elements |
| Table 1: MVA Services by Channel | Manual vacuum aspiration service for post abortion care by channel (PSI direct, social franchise, service delivery partner) Manual vacuum aspiration service for safe abortion by channel (PSI direct, social franchise, service delivery partner) |
| Table 2: Product-Based PAC and Safe Abortion by Channel | Medical abortion service by channel and product source (PSI product, non-PSI product) - Mifepristone + Misoprostol (combi-pack) Medical abortion service by channel and product source (PSI product, non-PSI product) - Misoprostol only Misoprostol for PAC (oral, sublingual, vaginal) |
Each table and data element are described in further detail below
| Data Element: Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) for post abortion care (PAC) service by channel |
| Purpose: This data element is measuring the total number of instances post-abortion care (PAC) was provided using MVA. |
| Precise Definitions: Manual Vacuum Aspiration, or MVA, is a safe, effective method of uterine evacuation which uses a hand-held plastic aspirator. Manual vacuum aspiration is useful in low-resource environments as it does not require a major equipment purchase (unlike electric vacuum aspiration) and is safe, effective and inexpensive. Post-abortion care (PAC) is an approach for treating incomplete abortion, including miscarriage, and any related complications. An incomplete abortion is a spontaneous or induced pregnancy loss, where products of conception are not completely expelled. Methods for treating incomplete abortion include medical (misoprostol), surgical (vacuum aspiration), and expectant management. For a detailed definition of “channel” see the common data elements definition page |
| Unit of Measure: Number of manual vacuum aspiration for post abortion care services provided to clients. |
| Disaggregated by: Channel (Franchise, Service Delivery Partner, PSI Direct Service Provision) For a detailed definition of “channel” see the common data elements definition page. |
| Justification/Management Utility: Data will provide important trend data on service delivery at the global level. Programmatic trends help to identify both challenges and successes; areas that need greater attention and support as well as opportunities for platform-to-platform assistance. These data are also key inputs for proposals, further ensuring safe abortion services program advancement and strengthening through new funding. The data is critical to global discussions and advocacy for safe abortion rights. |
| Data Element: Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) for safe abortion service by channel |
| Purpose: This data element is measuring the total number of instances safe abortions were provided using MVA. |
| Precise Definitions: Manual Vacuum Aspiration, or MVA, is a safe, effective method of uterine evacuation which uses a hand-held plastic aspirator. Manual vacuum aspiration is useful in low-resource environments as it does not require a major equipment purchase (unlike electric vacuum aspiration) and is safe, effective and inexpensive. In aspiration abortion, the uterine contents are removed with suction (aspiration) via a thin tube, called a cannula, which is inserted into the dilated cervix. For a detailed definition of “channel” see the common data elements definition page |
| Unit of Measure: Number of manual vacuum aspiration for safe abortion services provided to clients. |
| Disaggregated by: Channel (Franchise, Service Delivery Partner, PSI Direct Service Provision) For a detailed definition of “channel” see the common data elements definition page. |
| Justification/Management Utility: Data will provide important trend data on service delivery at the global level. Programmatic trends help to identify both challenges and successes; areas that need greater attention and support as well as opportunities for platform-to-platform assistance. These data are also key inputs for proposals, further ensuring safe abortion services program advancement and strengthening through new funding. The data is critical to global discussions and advocacy for safe abortion rights. |
| Data Element: Medical abortion service by channel and product source (PSI product, non-PSI product): Mifepristone + Misoprostol (combi-pack) |
| Purpose: This data element is measuring the total number of services where medical abortion was provided. |
| Precise Definitions: Medical abortion is a drug-induced abortion (abortion with pills). It is usually prescribed with a combination of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol. Where Mifepristone is not available, a medical abortion can be induced with misoprostol alone. This is a safe though less effective method. Misoprostol is a prostaglandin drug in tablet form that affects the stomach linings and the smooth muscle of the uterus and cervix. It has several obstetric and gastro-intestinal medical uses, including treatment of stomach ulcers, labor induction, uterine evacuation as part of post-abortion care (PAC) or for safe abortion (alone or in conjunction with Mifepristone), and to prevent and treat post-partum hemorrhage (PPH). For its obstetric indications, misoprostol is used to soften the cervix and cause uterine contractions, expelling the contents of the uterus. Mifepristone is a steroidal antiprogestogen in tablet form that has multiple medical uses including treatment of high blood sugar and emergency contraception. Mifepristone is often used with misoprostol to bring about an abortion. The combination of the two drugs is more effective than misoprostol alone. Product source refers to the source of the product used to provide the service. “PSI products” are products that passed through a PSI warehouse and thus were already captured in the CTL or Lawson. Services must be disaggregated based on product source to prevent double counting for health impact attribution where products are also counted through sales in the CTL or Lawson. For a detailed definition of “channel” and “product source” see the common data elements definition page see the common data elements definition page. |
| Unit of Measure: The data should record the number of services provided to clients NOT the product quantities used. |
| Disaggregated by: Channel (Franchise, Service Delivery Partner, PSI Direct Service Provision) Product source (PSI product, non-PSI Product) |
| Justification/Management Utility: Data will provide important trend data on service delivery at the global level. Programmatic trends help to identify both challenges and successes; areas that need greater attention and support as well as opportunities for platform-to-platform assistance. These data are also key inputs for proposals, further ensuring safe abortion services program advancement and strengthening through new funding. The data is critical to global discussions and advocacy for safe abortion rights. Services must be disaggregated based on product source to prevent double counting of products which are also counted through distribution in the CTL or Lawson. |
| Data Element: Medical abortion service by channel and product source (PSI product, non-PSI product): Misoprostol only |
| Purpose: This data element is measuring the total number of services where medical abortion was provided. |
| Precise Definitions: Medical abortion is a drug-induced abortion (abortion with pills). It is usually prescribed with a combination of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol. Where Mifepristone is not available, a medical abortion can be induced with misoprostol alone. This is a safe though less effective method. Misoprostol is a prostaglandin drug in tablet form that affects the stomach linings and the smooth muscle of the uterus and cervix. It has several obstetric and gastro-intestinal medical uses, including treatment of stomach ulcers, labor induction, uterine evacuation as part of post-abortion care (PAC) or for safe abortion (alone or in conjunction with Mifepristone), and to prevent and treat post-partum hemorrhage (PPH). For its obstetric indications, misoprostol is used to soften the cervix and cause uterine contractions, expelling the contents of the uterus. Product source refers to the source of the product used to provide the service. “PSI products” are products that passed through a PSI warehouse and thus were already captured in the CTL or Lawson. Services must be disaggregated based on product source to prevent double counting for health impact attribution where products are also counted through sales in the CTL or Lawson. For a detailed definition of “channel” and “product source” see the common data elements definition page |
| Unit of Measure: The data should record the number of services provided to clients NOT the product quantities used. |
| Disaggregated by: Channel (Franchise, Service Delivery Partner, PSI Direct Service Provision) Product source (PSI product, non-PSI Product) |
| Justification/Management Utility: Data will provide important trend data on service delivery at the global level. Programmatic trends help to identify both challenges and successes; areas that need greater attention and support as well as opportunities for platform-to-platform assistance. These data are also key inputs for proposals, further ensuring safe abortion services program advancement and strengthening through new funding. The data is critical to global discussions and advocacy for safe abortion rights. |
| Data Element: Misoprostol for PAC (oral, sublingual, vaginal) services by channel and product source |
| Purpose: This data element is measuring the total number of services where misoprostol was given orally, sublingually or vaginally for post-abortion care. |
| Precise Definitions: Misoprostol is a prostaglandin drug in tablet form that affects the stomach linings and the smooth muscle of the uterus and cervix. It has several obstetric and gastro-intestinal medical uses, including treatment of stomach ulcers, labor induction, uterine evacuation as part of post-abortion care (PAC) or for safe abortion (alone or in conjunction with Mifepristone), and to prevent and treat post-partum hemorrhage (PPH). For its obstetric indications, misoprostol is used to soften the cervix and cause uterine contractions, expelling the contents of the uterus. Post-abortion care (PAC) is an approach for treating incomplete abortion, including miscarriage, and any related complications. An incomplete abortion is a spontaneous or induced pregnancy loss, where products of conception are not completely expelled. Methods for treating incomplete abortion include medical (misoprostol), surgical (vacuum aspiration), and expectant management. Misoprostol is very useful for uncomplicated cases of incomplete abortion in low-resource settings, as it is safe, effective, inexpensive, in pill form, does not require refrigeration, and requires less training for providers than vacuum aspiration. The drug can be taken orally, sublingually (applied under the tongue) or vaginally. This data element measures misoprostol taken orally, sublingually or vaginally. Product source refers to the source of the product used to provide the service. “PSI products” are products that passed through a PSI warehouse and thus were already captured in the CTL or Lawson. Services must be disaggregated based on product source to prevent double counting for health impact attribution where products are also counted through sales in the CTL or Lawson. For a detailed definition of “channel” and “product source” see the common data elements definition page see the common data elements definition page. |
| Unit of Measure: The data should record the number of services provided to clients NOT the product quantities used. |
| Disaggregated by: Channel (Franchise, Service Delivery Partner, PSI Direct Service Provision) Product source (PSI product, non-PSI Product) |
| Justification/Management Utility: Data will provide important trend data on service delivery at the global level. Programmatic trends help to identify both challenges and successes; areas that need greater attention and support as well as opportunities for platform-to-platform assistance. These data are also key inputs for proposals, further ensuring safe abortion services program advancement and strengthening through new funding. The data is critical to global discussions and advocacy for safe abortion rights. Services must be disaggregated based on product source to prevent double counting of products which are also counted in the CTL or Lawson. Administration orally and sublingually is collected separately because the dosing is different. As impact calculations are based on product quantities and services provided, these services must be recorded separately. |