P-130: Frequency and Associated Causes of Induced Abortions in Northwestern Iran

Background: The extensive education on contraceptive methods, particularly in rural areas of developing countries, play a pivotal role in preventing of induced abortion. The main purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and major cause of induced abortion in women in northwestern Iran. Materials and Methods: The hospital documentary of 848 women encountering medical examinations due to abortion during recent 2 years, was studied. Subsequently, by using standard questionnaire, the major causes of induced abortions were investigated and statistically analyzed. Results: Our findings indicated that the frequency of induced abortion leading to infectious abortion was very remarkable (480 cases) and most of them (over 60%) were inhabitants of rural areas who had not considerable knowledge about contraceptive methods. The used devices and tools for induced abortion were urethral sound or Foley catheter (56%), hook, clarinet key or feather (27%), plant extractions, Mg sulfate or Permanganate (9%), and fork or spoon (8%). In most cases (over 50%) the mean age range was 24 - 38 years old. Conclusion: Based on our results, the frequency of induced abortion was remarkable among the women population in rural west areas of Iran. Since the major cause of induced abortion was lacking of contraceptive methods and poor knowledge on contraceptive methods, the encouragement and education on contraceptive methods application is necessarily required in developing countries and particularly in rural areas.