Post induced abortion morbidity and mortality in Oleh, Nigeria

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.