AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF INDUCED ABORTIONS AT THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER, MAKURDI

Abstract

Abortion, especially when induced, represents a significant burden on
women, the community and society in its portrayal of complications of
morbidities and mortality. This is especially true in developing countries
where socioeconomic inequalities contribute to this condition, mostly due to
the consequences of unintended pregnancies. This informs the study to
examine the prevalence and determinants of induced abortion at the
Federal Medical Center, Makurdi.
All women admitted into the gynaecological ward of the Federal Medical
Center, Makurdi from 1st of January 2011 to 30th of June 2011 for miscarriage
were consecutively recruited for the study. Relevant information were
retrieved through administration of a ‘questioning guide’ incorporated into
the history taking. Examination of the women and management were also
instituted. Other information were obtained from the records department.
The induced abortion rate was 89 per 1000 women aged between 15 and 45
years and this was observed to be at least three times the national rate. The
ratio of total abortion and induced abortion were 65 and 21 per 1000 live
births respectively. Women who presented with induced abortion at the
Federal Medical Center, Makurdi were five times more likely to be between
11 and 20 years old, three times more likely to be a primigravidae, five times
more likely to be unmarried and twice more likely to have attempted
abortion at the first trimester when compared with women admitted for
spontaneous abortion during the same period. There was no statistically
significant difference in the non use of contraceptives in both groups of
women.
The high induced abortion prevalence brings to the fore the health burden of
this condition in Nigeria, especially in the middle-belt region and the need to
urgently explore ways of reducing its effects. The study serves as a template
to understanding sufferers of this condition and the need for further studies
that would help in understanding how to manage them better. It also
suggests that the most cost effective approach to solving the problem may
be a targeted health education on the short term and an effective
contraceptive knowledge, access and usage campaign with increased access
to reproductive health services on the long term.

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF INDUCED ABORTIONS AT THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER, MAKURDI