Self-care interventions for legal and safe abortions: lessons learned from a woman-centered approach to sexual and reproductive healthcare in Uruguay.

ABSTRACT:

Problem

In the 1990s, almost 40% of maternal deaths in Uruguay were caused by unsafe abortions.

Approach

A harm reduction model implemented in Uruguay, which addressed the risks associated with unsafe abortion practices by promoting and supporting the self-management of medical abortions by women in their homes, encouraged women's autonomy.

Local setting

Since 2005, an accelerated decrease in maternal mortality has been recorded in Uruguay, coinciding with the implementation of two major actions: a harm reduction approach with active promotion of self-care through self-management of medical abortions; and in 2012, a change in legislation, which made abortion legal within sexual and reproductive health facilities when requested by women up to 12 weeks of pregnancy or l

SUBMITTER: Stapff C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11773253 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature