Assessment of post-abortion contraceptive counseling and practices among healthcare providers in Mfoundi Division, Centre Region, Cameroon.

Introduction: post-abortion contraception, when administered before hospital discharge, effectively prevents unintended pregnancies and subsequent abortions. This study assessed the proportion of healthcare providers offering post-abortion contraceptive services in the Mfoundi Division of Cameroon and identified factors influencing these practices. Methods: we conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study among 332 healthcare providers offering post-abortion care from 21 health facilities (10 private and 11 public) in the Mfoundi Division. Using a non-probabilistic sampling method, we selected two-thirds of participants from public facilities and one-third from private facilities. A pretested structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and SPSS 23.0. For data analysis. Binary logistic regression (p<0.05) determined associated factors. Results: among the participants were obstetricians/gynecologists (4.9%), midwives (44.6%), nurses (27.7%), general practitioners (9.6%), junior residents (6.9%), and senior residents (4.2%). We had 81.63% offering post-abortion contraceptive counseling, whereas 33.1% offered contraceptive methods prior to hospital discharge. Post abortion contraceptive counseling was associated with training on family planning (OR 3.8, p<0.001) and on post-abortion care (PAC) (OR 4.5, p=0.002). The non-availability of contraceptives (OR 0.18, p<0.001), knowing the importance of contraceptives during PAC (OR 2.6, p<=0.001), being an obstetrician/gynecologist (OR 1.3, p=0.012), family planning training (OR 3.8, p=0.003), and the availability of protocols (OR 2.8, p<0.001) were associated with post-abortion contraceptives provision. Conclusion: these results highlight the necessity of enhancing the post-abortion contraceptive practices in health facilities.