Complications of induced abortion: Contributions to maternal mortality in a tertiary center, South-South Nigeria

Complications of induced abortion remain high in developing countries and among the leading causes of maternal mortality especially in Nigeria where abortion law is restrictive. Objective is to determine the prevalence, socio-demographic characteristics, complications of induced abortion and the contribution of induced abortion to maternal mortality in our center. This was a retrospective study of cases of induced abortion managed in our center between 1 st January 2009 and 31 st December 2014. Data analysis was performed using Epi-info version 3. 3. 2. Frequencies and percentages were calculated. The prevalence of induced abortion was 14.6% of all gynecological admissions. There were a total of 92 maternal deaths during the study period and 21 of the deaths were due to induced abortions. Induced abortion constitutes 22.8% of maternal mortality during the period and a case fatality rate of 4.0%. The women mostly affected were teenagers (53.92%); single women (64.59%) and nulliparous women (64.79%). Quacks' were responsible in 41.45% of the abortions while orthodox doctors performed abortions in 21.13% of cases. The commonest complications were sepsis (64.59%) and hemorrhage (40.64%). Complications of induced abortion remain a very common health challenge and a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in our environment. There is need to stop this ugly problem by improving the reproductive health system and liberalization of abortion law in Nigeria.