Clandestine abortions: epidemiology at Provincial General Hospital of Kananga

Abstract

This study aim is to describe the epidemiological profile of pregnant women who performed clandestine abortions in the gynecological department of the Provincial General Hospital of Kananga. This is a descriptive study of a series conducted from the medical files of pregnant women who secretly aborted in the gynecology department of the Provincial General Hospital of Kananga from January 1^st 2015 to December 31^st 2019. It is based on the no probabilistic sampling of suitability. We recorded 58 cases of clandestine abortions upon 1667 patients. The frequency of clandestine abortions is of 3.48% with an average age of pregnant women of 26.96 years, 70% of pregnant women under 30 years old, nulliparity is more concerned (34.48%), pupils and students as well as unemployed are more concerned in 55.12%, nurses are the abortionists encountered in 37.70%, cervical dilation and curettage is the most used abortion method (69.07%) and the maternal mortality rate linked to clandestine abortion is 13.79%. The fight against clandestine abortions requires the promotion of sex education in school and academic circles, and the sensitization of women and couples to the use of contraceptive methods and family planning. Our results serve as the basis for in-depth studies on clandestine abortions and their complications with a view to improving their management in our environment.