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Morbidity and mortality due to unsafe abortion in Pakistan
Author(s) -
Shaikh Zunaira,
Abbassi Razia Mustafa,
Rizwan Naushaba,
Abbasi Sumera
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.01.028
Subject(s) - medicine , unsafe abortion , abortion , uterine perforation , obstetrics , pregnancy , family planning , perforation , products of conception , unintended pregnancy , population , research methodology , environmental health , materials science , biology , metallurgy , punching , genetics
Objectives To determine the frequency of women who had undergone an unsafe abortion and attended a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan with complications. Methods Patients with a history of termination at a gestational age of less than or equal to 22 weeks were included in the study. Results Of 230 women who met the inclusion criteria, 50 (21.7%) patients had undergone an unsafe abortion and attended the hospital with associated complications. Unintended pregnancy was the reason for the abortion in 82% of women (n = 41). Eighteen (36%) underwent terminations performed by doctors, 18 (36%) by Lady Health Visitors (n = 18), 10 (20%) by an untrained birth attendant (Dai), and 4 (8.0%) by nurses. Dilatation and evacuation procedures were performed in 28 (56.0%) women, while a Laminaria tent prior to evacuation was used in 18 (36.0%). Major complications included uterine perforation and gastrointestinal injury, observed in 27 (54.0%) women. Hemorrhage was observed in 13 (26.0%) women with retained products of conception after incomplete abortion. Six (12.0%) women died. Conclusion Healthcare providers performed the majority of terminations. To prevent maternal mortality, improved skills through refresher courses and workshops on safer methods are needed.