Unsafe abortions

Methods used and characteristics of patients attending hospitals in Nairobi, Lima, and Manila

Bibliographic Data

ID15217869
AuthorsAugustine Ankomah (0000-0002-9616-8291, University of Exeter, corresponding author), Colette Aloo‐Obunga (National Aids Control Council), Magdalena Chu (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia), Alicia Manlagnit (De La Salle University)
Year1997
Volume18
Issue1
Pages43-53
Publication date1997-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Care For Women International (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0739-9332 • E-ISSN: 1096-4665
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/07399339709516258
PMID9119782
OpenAlexW1968900644
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited3

Using quantitative and qualitative data, the authors present selected characteristics of 626 women who reported complications of induced abortion in five hospitals: one in Nairobi, two in Lima, and two in Manila. Although there are some similarities, the findings show some marked differences in demographic characteristics. In Nairobi nearly all respondents were single, nulliparous, and 25 years or younger; in Lima and Manila most were either married or in union, usually aged 25 years or older and had at least 1 child. There was evidence of repeat abortions, especially in Nairobi where 26% had had at least one previous abortion. Access to safe abortions is severely restricted and is obtained through a secret referral system. A list of potentially hazardous local abortifacients range from the drinking of strong Kenyan tea to dangerous practices such as insertion of sharp objects into the uterus or drinking chemicals and toxic substances

Environmental health · Family medicine · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine

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