The Incidence of Induced Abortion in Kenya

As of 2010, Kenya has a new constitution in Kenya which allows access to safe abortion services under a broader set of circumstances than previously allowed. Yet operationalization and implementation are slow and controversial, and unsafe abortion continues to occur. This study aims to estimate the incidence of induced abortion in Kenya in 2012 using both retrospective (n=328) and prospective (n=326) data from a nationally representative sample of health facilities. The annual incidence of induced abortion in Kenya was calculated using both the Abortion Incidence Estimation Methodology and the Prospective Data Capture method. An estimated 146 427 women were treated with post-abortion complications in Kenya in 2012. Unmet need remains high at 26% and wanted fertility (TFR of 3.4) remains higher than actual fertility (TFR of 4.6). As in other sub-Saharan African countries, unsafe abortion continues to be a major health concern for women in Kenya.