Self-Medication of Abortifacient Agent and Its Impact on Women’s Health- An Experience in a Government Medical College of West Bengal

Abstract

BACKGROUND Self-medication or medication by untrained person for termination of unwanted pregnancy is commonly practiced among women of child bearing age group. This study was undertaken to observe the consequences of self-medication of abortifacient agent on women's health reporting to a Government Medical College. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is an observational study conducted at Midnapore Medical College from January 2016 to June 2017. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 102 women were selected with respect to age, parity, period of gestation, clinical features at presentation, ultrasonography findings, complications and management they received. Analysis was also done with respect to surgical interventions, need for blood transfusion and maternal mortality. RESULTS In this study, 77 cases (75.4%) were diagnosed as incomplete abortion (8 cases clinically and 69 cases ultrasonographically). 15 cases (14.7%) of complete abortion, 5 cases (4.9%) of missed abortion, 3 cases (2.9%) of live gestation and 2 cases (1.9%) of ruptured ectopic pregnancy were recorded. 15 cases (14.7%) received blood transfusion and 2 cases (2%) required intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Fortunately, no maternal death was reported in the study group. CONCLUSION Reproductive health protection and care is every woman's right. Awareness on contraception is must for all. This study shows urgent need for legislation and restriction of drugs used for medical termination of pregnancy. Availability of abortifacient drugs directly from hospital/ practitioners who are qualified under Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Acts may reduce complication of these drugs.