COMPLICATIONS AND TREATMENT OF ILLEGALLY INDUCED ABORTION

Abstract

Objective: To detect and treat complication of illicit abortions along with status of abortionist and method used by them. Study Design: Descriptive study. Setting: Department of Gynae and Obstetrics, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: March 2002 – February, 2003. Material and Methods: 50 patients selected either married or un-married and evaluated for illicit induced abortion performed by untrained personnel and methods used by them. Results: Out of 50 patients, 45 were married and 5 were unmarried. The reasons for termination were illegitimate pregnancy in 7 cases, decreased spacing in between pregnancy in 32 cases and grand multiparity in 11 cases. In 37 patients dilatation & curettage was used as method for termination of pregnancy. In remaining 1methods used were metallic sharp instruments, medicines (herbal/allopathic) and IUCD insertion.  37 patients presented with acute abdomen ended up in emergency laparotomy. 9 patients were treated by curettage only. 2 patients were managed conservatively. 5 patients died due to septicaemia. Conclusion: Illicit induced abortion is a major public health issue. Results highlight the magnitude of the induced abortion and its consequent morbidity. Further more, it also indicate that health care providers, irrespective of legality issues, provide such services on demand. Illicit induced abortion and its complications can be avoided with better and easy provision of contraceptive measures and family planning resources.