"Better dead than being mocked" – Unwanted pregnancy and abortion: an anthropological study on perceptions and attitudes *COMPILED REPORT*

This compiled report on unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion in the DRC presents the most important findings and recommendations of three studies conducted in three different provinces in the eastern part of the DRC: North and South-Kivu and Ituri between 9 May and 20 August 2017. 

The results of this study are intended to contribute to better treatment of women who have had an abortion and present with complications and consequential needs, and the identification of measures aiming to reduce the burden of unsafe abortion related complications and maternal death. These results are also intended to inform MSF operations, and to raise awareness and advocacy on one of the most important and entirely preventable causes of maternal mortality. 

The general objective of the anthropological study is to understand and document perception of and attitudes towards unwanted pregnancies and induced abortion, among health care providers, the general population and local leaders in the DRC. 

From this report an article was written and published in the journal Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM).
Access the publication via the journal