Abortion-related morbidity and mortality in Sierra Leone: results from a 2021 cross-sectional study

Compared to regional and global estimates, the burden of abortion-related complications in Sierra Leone is high. The recent effort to liberalize abortion law is promising; this potential legal reform must be paired with the expansion of safe abortion services to reduce abortion-related morbidity and mortality in the country. In the absence of legal change, our analysis also emphasizes the need to ensure PAC services are always free of cost, that women are aware of the availability and legality of PAC, and that facilities have the human and material resources needed to handle these cases.