Bibliographic information

GuidelineAbortion care guideline, 2nd ed
Year of Publication2024
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization

Recommendation

Maintained

For individuals undergoing surgical abortion and wishing to use contraception: Recommend the option of initiating the contraception at the time of surgical abortion

Recommended in favor

Strong

Notes and Remarks

Remark

  • The quality of evidence based on randomized controlled trials was very low.

KEY HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO POST-ABORTION CONTRACEPTION

  • Contraception should be provided only where the person has given free and informed consent to receive it.
  • States must ensure availability of the full range of contraceptive options, including a wide range of modern, safe and affordable methods.
  • States must ensure adequate access to essential medicines, including contraceptives, in an affordable and non-discriminatory manner.
  • Everyone has a right to evidence-based information on all aspects of SRH, including contraceptives.
  • Contraceptive information and services must be provided without discrimination, coercion or violence.
  • Everyone has a right to privacy and confidentiality in the receipt of contraceptive information and services.
  • Post-abortion contraceptive information and services should be available and accessible to adolescents without requiring parental or guardian authorization.
  • States must guarantee that practices of conscientious refusal/objection do not infringe on the right to contraceptive information and services. For further information and sources, please refer to Box 1.2 and Web annex A: Key international human rights standards on abortion.

Also Featured In

This recommendation also appears in the following guidelines:

Originally Developed
Guideline

Safe abortion: technical and policy guidance for health systems

Year2012
InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Guideline

Abortion care guideline

Year2022
InstitutionWHO