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Post induced abortion morbidity and mortality in Oleh, Nigeria
Abstract
The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the maternal morbidity and mortality among 87patient treated at the Central Hospital, Oleh, Delta State, Nigeria, for complications of induced abortion from January 1st 2004 to December 31st 2008.
The total number of maternal admissions and deaths, over the
period, were, respectively, 3,680 and 34(8 from induced abortion). Induced abortion accounted for 2.4% and
23.5%, respectively, of the total maternal morbidity (admissions) and mortality. The mean age of the patients was 20.4±5.6years (range of 15 –36years). Majority were, in age group 15 – 19years (71.2%), students/young school leavers
(85.1%), unmarried (82.8%), unemployed (89.7%) and had had
second trimester abortion (64.4%). It is significant that of those who had second trimester abortion, 66.1% were teenagers. Most (94.3%) of the patients presented with multiple
complications which included genital sepsis (94.3%), retained products of conception (90.8%), anaemia (17.2%),
pelvic infection with peritonitis (17.2%) and abscess formation (15%), uterine (3.5%) and intestinal (2.3%)
perforations. The commonest cause of death (n = 8) was generalised septicaemia (37.5%).
Policy makers and health managers should formulate initiatives to prevent unwanted pregnancy including health
education/contraceptive utilization and provision of safe abortion services.
Keywords: abortion, induced, maternal, morbidity, mortality, law.
The total number of maternal admissions and deaths, over the
period, were, respectively, 3,680 and 34(8 from induced abortion). Induced abortion accounted for 2.4% and
23.5%, respectively, of the total maternal morbidity (admissions) and mortality. The mean age of the patients was 20.4±5.6years (range of 15 –36years). Majority were, in age group 15 – 19years (71.2%), students/young school leavers
(85.1%), unmarried (82.8%), unemployed (89.7%) and had had
second trimester abortion (64.4%). It is significant that of those who had second trimester abortion, 66.1% were teenagers. Most (94.3%) of the patients presented with multiple
complications which included genital sepsis (94.3%), retained products of conception (90.8%), anaemia (17.2%),
pelvic infection with peritonitis (17.2%) and abscess formation (15%), uterine (3.5%) and intestinal (2.3%)
perforations. The commonest cause of death (n = 8) was generalised septicaemia (37.5%).
Policy makers and health managers should formulate initiatives to prevent unwanted pregnancy including health
education/contraceptive utilization and provision of safe abortion services.
Keywords: abortion, induced, maternal, morbidity, mortality, law.
