Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of women with unsafe abortion in south-western Nigeria

Background: Unsafe abortion is within the five leading causes of maternal mortality in sub Saharan Africa. For every one death related to unsafe abortion, about 25 more women suffer significant morbidity from complications of abortion The aim is to highlight their socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of women with unsafe abortion.

Methodology: This was a 5-year retrospective cross-sectional study of 84 women managed for complications of unsafe abortion, at the Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti, in South Western Nigeria. Socio-demographic, clinical and abortion related data were obtained from their medical records. Data obtained were expressed in descriptive statistics.

Results: Unsafe Abortion accounted for 5.4% of gynaecological admission during the study period. The mean age of the women was 23.2years. They were majorly single (63%), nulliparous (50%) and had secondary level of education (39.3%). Of the 54 (64.3%) who were aware of modern contraceptive options, only 20.4% (11/54) had used contraception previously. About 57% (48/84) was having induced abortion for the first time. Not being ready for a child was the commonest (22.6%) reason provided for procuring abortion. About 85% (71/84) terminated their pregnancy in the first trimester with a mean gestational age of 10.1weeks. Dilatation and curettage was the commonest (56%) method employed. Sepsis and hemorrhage were the leading complications reported in 52.4% (44/84) and 40.5% (34/84) of the women respectively. The fatality rate observed was 2.4% (2/84).

Conclusion: Young, single, nulliparous, lowly educated women with no knowledge and usage of modern contraceptive options were identified to have more commonly had unsafe abortion. Sepsis and hemorrhage were the leading associated complications.