Prevention of unsafe abortion: analysis of the current situation and the task ahead.

An evaluation of the current situation regarding implementation of the plans of action for the prevention of unsafe abortion shows that more than half of the countries selected for the initiative have progressed as planned or have surpassed expectations. The greatest barriers to faster progress have been insufficient resources or infrastructure and the sensitivity of the subject matter, as well as lack of a more active commitment from the societies of obstetrics and gynecology and their members. The most frequently mentioned facilitating factors were the strength of the project/FIGO leadership, the commitment of the collaborating agencies, and incorporation of the activities of the plans of action into the agenda of the Ministry of Health. The commitment of the societies of obstetrics and gynecology and a good relationship between these societies and their Ministry of Health were also mentioned as being important facilitating factors. On the operational side, the monitoring visits and the regional workshops were seen as facilitators by over three-quarters and two-thirds of the countries, respectively. FIGO is committed to continue providing technical and political support to the societies involved in this initiative, promoting strategies to overcome the barriers while taking full advantage of the facilitating factors. (c) 2010 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.