Title: Treatment of incomplete abortion: prevention and management of immediate complications. Abstract.

POPLINE Document Number: 270905

Author(s):

Ladipo OA

Source citation:

[Unpublished] 1988 Oct. Paper presented at The Christopher Tietze International Symposium on Women's Health in the Third World: The Impact of Unwanted Pregnancy, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 29-30 October, 1988. 3 p.

Abstract:

Abortion is historically associated with high mortality, although current techniques somewhat alleviate this problem. There are 30-35 million estimated induced annual abortions worldwide--one in every 5-10 pregnancies. Over 1/2 of the abortions are in developing countries where safe techniques are rarely used. Incomplete abortion is a common gynecologic emergency in Third World countries. Complications of incomplete abortion include septic abortion, retained products of conception, hemorrhage, cervical or uterine damage, and toxic reaction to drugs or chemicals. Most of these complications occur because of restrictive abortion laws and lack of family planning. Training of medical personnel is definitely necessary, but specific policies must also be implemented in order to decrease or eliminate clandestine abortions. Countries with liberal abortion laws and qualified medical help have much lower mortality rates.

Keywords:

Abortion
Abortion Law
Mortality
Developing Countries
Morbidity
Treatment
Needs
Recommendations
Fertility Control, Postconception
Family Planning
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Diseases
Economic Factors