A prospective study of severity of complications associated with use of misoprostol and other abortion methods in South West Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives:To assess the severity of complications following misoprostol used to induce abortion compared with other methods among women admitted for postabortion complications. Methods:A cross-sectional study of women who presented with complications of induced abortion at nine secondary and tertiary hospitals in South West Nigeria between April 1, 2013 and May 31, 2014. Face-to-face interviews were conducted and information on the current admission was extracted from patient records. Associations between abortion method used and severity of abortion complications were evaluated using χ 2 and Fisher exact tests. Results:Of 522 women included in the study, 177 reported an induced abortion: 41 women (23.2%) had used misoprostol at the first attempt to induce abortion, whereas 79 (44.6%) women had undergone surgical abortion. Occurrence of fever (P=0.06), bleeding (P=0.3), and lower abdominal pain (P=0.32) was not significantly different between the misoprostol and surgical abortion/other methods groups. Severe complications were rare with misoprostol, but more common among women in the surgical abortion/other methods group. Maternal mortality occurred only among women in the surgical abortion/other methods group.Conclusion: Use of misoprostol for induced abortion was associated with fewer complications and no maternal mortality compared with surgical abortion/other methods.

Changes in contraceptive and sexual behaviours among unmarried young people in Nigeria: Evidence from nationally representative surveys

“…Unsafe abortion contributes significantly to Nigeria's high maternal mortality burden. The country's abortion rate of 36 per 1000 women aged 15-49 years is higher than the sub-Saharan African's average of 28 per 1000 [8,9], and young females contribute significantly to this due to high rates of unsafe abortion and complications with unplanned pregnancy as a driving factor [10].…”

Intersectionality analysis of young people’s experiences and perceptions of discrimination in primary health centers in Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria

“…Reports show that 36 per 1000 women of reproductive age in Nigeria have had an abortion, and this is highest among young women and girls [12][13][14]. The rate of abortion in Nigeria is higher than the regional average of 28 per 1000 in sub-Saharan Africa [12][13][14].…”

“…Nigeria also has one of the highest burdens of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) globally and young people aged 15-24 years account for about a third of new HIV infections [12]. Reports show that 36 per 1000 women of reproductive age in Nigeria have had an abortion, and this is highest among young women and girls [12][13][14]. The rate of abortion in Nigeria is higher than the regional average of 28 per 1000 in sub-Saharan Africa [12][13][14].…”

Conocimientos sobre el aborto inducido y opiniones sobre el uso del misoprostol en Aguascalientes

“…La disponibilidad del misoprostol ha facilitado el acceso a un aborto seguro; además de que la propia mujer lo puede adquirir en las farmacias sin prescripción médica y administrárselo sin que tenga que acudir a una clínica de salud. Sin embargo, es común que las mujeres obtengan información acerca de su uso en fuentes como Internet, redes sociales o amistades sin verificar su veracidad 15,16 . En este sentido, varios autores han alertado sobre el uso incorrecto del misoprostol, ya que esto puede ocasionar complicaciones que requieren hospitalización 17,18 .…”