Abortion complications in Abidjan (Ivory Coast).

The aim of this study was to describe the various methods of abortion used by women admitted to an obstetrics department in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) for abortion complications. The study was retrospective, and was based on the medical files of all 472 women admitted for abortion complications during a 3-year period (1993-1995). The introduction of plant stems into the uterus, the use of certain instruments, use of vaginal preparations, and ingestion of plants were the most common abortion methods. Seventeen maternal deaths were registered, giving a maternal mortality rate of 3.6%. A high number of previous pregnancies and the ingestion of plants to provoke abortion were factors associated with the highest risk for maternal death. Complications of "local" abortion methods accounted for a high proportion of maternal deaths.

PIP: A retrospective study was undertaken to assess the effect of various abortion practices on maternal health. The study was based on the medical files of all 472 women admitted to an obstetrics department in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, for abortion complications during a 3-year period (1993-95). The medical records of the sociodemographic and medical characteristics of women upon admission were assessed. Results demonstrated that the introduction of plant stems into the uterus was the most frequently used abortion method (31%), followed by herbal pessaries (23%) and plant infusions (20%). About 17 maternal deaths were registered, giving a maternal mortality rate of 3.6%. A high number of previous pregnancies and the ingestion of plants to provoke abortion were the factors associated with the highest risk of maternal death. Furthermore, complications resulting from local abortion methods accounted for a high proportion of maternal deaths. From the results, it was found that the potential lethal risks associated with local abortion methods were high. These results suggest that more rapid and efficient hospitalization in abortion cases and greater access to family planning would reduce the rate of maternal mortality in Ivory Coast.

[Obstetric complications of the first trimester in Western Africa]. / Complications obstétricales du premier trimestre en Afrique de l'Ouest.

The obstetrical complications affecting women in Benin, Senegal and Ivory Coast during the first trimester of pregnancy were studied. Information about the 345 women included in the study was collected from registers maintained by the eight participating maternity units. The most frequent complications observed were spontaneous abortions (50% of admissions), complications of induced abortions (34%), and ectopic pregnancy (8%). Overall, the patients appear to have gained rapid access to care: two thirds of the women underwent interventions on the day of admission. Nevertheless, there were three maternal deaths, two of which followed induced abortion complications.