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Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of clandestine abortions.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted between March 1st and August 31st, 2012 in the maternities of the University Teaching Hospital and the Central Hospital of Yaoundé, Cameroon. Files of women with clandestinely induced abortion were reviewed. Main variables studied were maternal age, gestational age, abortionist’s qualification, method used and the complications presented.
RESULTS: Ninety-four abortions were recorded. Mean gestational age was 11.0 ± 3.4 weeks. Methods used were mainly manual vacuum aspiration (39.4%), dilatation and curettage (29.8%) and misoprostol (13.8%). Abortionists were mostly health assistants (62.7%) and general practitioners (14.9%). Major abortion complications were severe anemia (24.5%), pelvic infection (18.1%), hypovolemic shock (17.1%) and incomplete abortion (16%). Maternal death occurred in 2.1%.
CONCLUSIONS: Clandestine abortions are still associated with maternal complications including death.
KEY WORDS: Clandestine abortions, Abortionists, Complications, Cameroon.
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References
- Shah I, Ahman E. Unsafe abortion in 2008: global and regional levels and trends. Reprod Health Matters 2010; 18(36): 90-101.
- Aniteye P, Mayhew S. Attitudes and experiences of women admitted to hospital with abortion complications in Ghana. Afr J Reprod Health 2011; 15(1): 47-55
- Ministry of Public Health (Cameroon). Demographic Health Survey (EDS-MICS) 2011 report.
- Sedgh G, Singh S, Shah IH, Ahman E, Henshaw SK, Bankole A. Induced abortion: incidence and trends worldwide from 1995 to 2008. Lancet 2012; 379(9816): 625-32.
- Grossman D, Holt K, Peña M, Lara D, Veatch M, Córdova D, Gold M, Winikoff B, Blanchard K. Self-induction of abortion among women in the United States. Reprod Health Matters 2010; 18(36): 136-46.
- Rasch V. Unsafe abortion and post abortion care - an overview. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2011; 90(7): 692-700.
- Shah N, Hossain N, Noonari M, Khan NH. Maternal mortality and morbidity of unsafe abortion in a university teaching hospital of Karachi, Pakistan. J Pak Med Assoc 2011; 61(6): 582-6.
- Uria M, Mosquera C. Legal abortion in Asturias (Spain) after the 1985 law: sociodemographic characteristics of women applying for abortion. Eur J Epidemiol 1999; 15(1): 59-64.
- Tadesse E, Yoseph S, Gossa A, Muletta E, Pogharian D, Ketsella K, Hawaz Z. Illegal abortions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. East Afr Med J 2001; 78(1): 25-9.
- Asa I, de Costa C, Mola G. A prospective survey of cases of complications of induced abortion presenting to Goroka hospital, Papua New Guinea, 2011. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2012; 52(5): 491-3.
- Srinil S. Factors associated with severe complications in unsafe abortion. J Med Assoc Thai 2011; 94(4): 408-14.
References
Shah I, Ahman E. Unsafe abortion in 2008: global and regional levels and trends. Reprod Health Matters 2010; 18(36): 90-101.
Aniteye P, Mayhew S. Attitudes and experiences of women admitted to hospital with abortion complications in Ghana. Afr J Reprod Health 2011; 15(1): 47-55
Ministry of Public Health (Cameroon). Demographic Health Survey (EDS-MICS) 2011 report.
Sedgh G, Singh S, Shah IH, Ahman E, Henshaw SK, Bankole A. Induced abortion: incidence and trends worldwide from 1995 to 2008. Lancet 2012; 379(9816): 625-32.
Grossman D, Holt K, Peña M, Lara D, Veatch M, Córdova D, Gold M, Winikoff B, Blanchard K. Self-induction of abortion among women in the United States. Reprod Health Matters 2010; 18(36): 136-46.
Rasch V. Unsafe abortion and post abortion care - an overview. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2011; 90(7): 692-700.
Shah N, Hossain N, Noonari M, Khan NH. Maternal mortality and morbidity of unsafe abortion in a university teaching hospital of Karachi, Pakistan. J Pak Med Assoc 2011; 61(6): 582-6.
Uria M, Mosquera C. Legal abortion in Asturias (Spain) after the 1985 law: sociodemographic characteristics of women applying for abortion. Eur J Epidemiol 1999; 15(1): 59-64.
Tadesse E, Yoseph S, Gossa A, Muletta E, Pogharian D, Ketsella K, Hawaz Z. Illegal abortions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. East Afr Med J 2001; 78(1): 25-9.
Asa I, de Costa C, Mola G. A prospective survey of cases of complications of induced abortion presenting to Goroka hospital, Papua New Guinea, 2011. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2012; 52(5): 491-3.
Srinil S. Factors associated with severe complications in unsafe abortion. J Med Assoc Thai 2011; 94(4): 408-14.