Clinical presentation and complications in patients with unsafe abortions in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.

Background: Unsafe abortion still contributes significantly to high maternal morbidity and mortality particularly in developing countries despite concerted efforts being made to reduce it. Our objective is to determine the incidence, mode presentation and complications of Unsafe abortion.
Method: This prospective study was carried out by directly interviewing patients managed for unsafe abortion over one and half years period (1" June 2003, to 31st' December, 2004) in Maternity Annex of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Calabar, Nigeria.
Results: Incidence of Unsafe abortion of 27.6% of all gynaecological admissions was established. Most Patients (55.7%) were age 20 30 years while 25.4% were teenagers. There were 33(27.1%) students, 38.2% were single women and 38.5% had secondary education. The major reasons given for terminating the pregnancy included completion of education (25.4%), fear of parental action (18.8%) and in 17.2% the father of the pregnancy was unknown. Medical officers (32.8%) performed majority of the abortions while 10.7% were self induced by the patients themselves. Main complications encountered included retained product of conceptions, haemorrhage, sepsis, injuries to genital tracts and intra-abdomal organs.
Conclusion: Unsafe abortion and it complications occurs in all socioeconomic groups. Efforts directed at reducing unintended pregnancy by comprehensive family planning programs and effective emergency post abortal care services will reduce the problem while the legal status of abortion is being debated.