Complications of Unsafe Abortion: A Case Study and the Need for Abortion Law Reform in Nigeria

Oye-Adeniran, Boniface A; Umoh, Augustine V; Nnatu, S

doi:10.1016/s0968-8080(02)00024-1

Cited by 32 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The barrier methods are also useful in the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS. In the developing world in general and Nigeria in particular unwanted pregnancy, unsafe induced abortion, high fertility rates, high maternal mortality rates, STIs and HIV/AIDS are all very serious reproductive health problems that require urgent attention [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] . Unsafe abortion is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality accounting for as much as 22.5-40% of maternal deaths 5,9 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community-based Study of Contraceptive Behaviour in Nigeria

Oye-Adeniran¹,

Adewole²,

Umoh³

et al. 2006

African Journal of Reproductive Health

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A cross sectional, community-based, descriptive study among women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) in Nigeria to explore the possible reasons for contraceptive non-use despite reported high awareness was carried out. Data were obtained using a standard questionnaire instrument and applied on 2001 respondents. Contraceptive prevalence among sexually active respondents was 14.8% for all methods, 10.1% for modern methods and only 0.8% for emergency contraceptives. The most frequently stated reasons for non-use of contraceptives, among those who had never used any contraceptives but who did not want more children were: "did not think about it", "against religious belief " and "fear of side effects." Prior counseling significantly improved the continuation rate of contraception. Multivariate analysis showed that older, married and more educated women tended to use contraceptives more. Health-care providers should be trained to offer counseling services to all clients in general, and young, unmarried and uneducated women in particular in order to improve their acceptance of contraceptives. RÉSUMÉUne étude à base communautaire sur le comportement du contraceptif au Nigéria. Nous avons mené une étude descriptive traversale à base communautaaire auprès des femmes dans le group en âge d'avoir des enfants (15-19 ans) au Nigéria afin d'explorer les raisons qui peuvent expliquer le non-usage des contraceptifs malgré le haut niveau de sensibilisation. Les données ont été recueillies à l'aide d'un instrument de questionnaires standards administrés aux 2001 répondantes. La fréquence contraceptive parmi les répondants qui sont sexuellement actives était de 14,8% pour toutes les méthodes, 10,1% pour les méthodes modernes et juste 0,8% pour les contraceptifs d'urgence. Les raisons les plus fréquemment données pour expliquer le non-usage des contraceptifs parmi ceux qui n'ont jamais utilisé les contraceptifs, mais qui ne voulaient pas encore d'enfants étaient: "je n'y ai pensé", "contre la croyance religieuse" et "la peur des effets secondaires". L'analyse multifactorielle a montré que les femmes les plus âgées, mariées et instruites avaient la tendance d'utiliser les contraceptifs. Il faut former des prestataires de services médicaux pour qu'ils puissent rendre les services d'orientation à tous les clients en général, mais sourtout aux jeunes, aux célibataires et aux femmes non-instruites afin d'améliorer leur acceptance des contraceptifs. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2006; 10[2]:90-104)

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community-based Study of Contraceptive Behaviour in Nigeria

Oye-Adeniran¹,

Adewole²,

Umoh³

et al. 2006

African Journal of Reproductive Health

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“…A study based on the 1996 survey of physicians and hospitals estimated that 142,000 women were treated for complications of abortion each year, and experts believe that unsafe abortion accounts for at least 13% and possibly 30-40% of maternal deaths. [1][2][3] However, a substantial proportion of women having an abortion in Nigeria seek the procedure from a physician, often in a private clinic or hospital. Research in the mid-1990s, based on a nationally representative sample of facilities, estimated that 27% of women receiving abortion care were seeking an abortion, 47% needed treatment for complications of an abortion attempt and 26% were treated for complications of a spontaneous abortion.…”

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confidence: 99%

Severity and Cost of Unsafe Abortion Complications Treated in Nigerian Hospitals

Henshaw¹,

Adewole²,

Singh³

et al. 2008

IFPP

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Abortion is legally restricted in most African countries, and in Nigeria it is permitted only to save the life of a pregnant woman. Nevertheless, the practice is common: According to an estimate based on a 1996 national survey of physicians and hospitals in Nigeria, 610,000 abortions occurred in a one-year period, a rate of about 25 abortions per 1,000 women of childbearing age (15-44 years). 1 This study also found that 27% of physicians in private practice performed abortions despite the legal restrictions.A majority of the abortions in Nigeria take place under unsafe conditions and constitute a major source of maternal morbidity and mortality. A study based on the 1996 survey of physicians and hospitals estimated that 142,000 women were treated for complications of abortion each year, and experts believe that unsafe abortion accounts for at least 13% and possibly 30-40% of maternal deaths. 1-3 However, a substantial proportion of women having an abortion in Nigeria seek the procedure from a physician, often in a private clinic or hospital. Research in the mid-1990s, based on a nationally representative sample of facilities, estimated that 27% of women receiving abortion care were seeking an abortion, 47% needed treatment for complications of an abortion attempt and 26% were treated for complications of a spontaneous abortion. 1 The present study provides new and comprehensive information from personal interviews of women with all types of pregnancy loss, and also obtains medical information from their providers.Unsafe abortion is not only a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among women, but also an economic drain on the health care system. As in many other countries in the region, a high proportion of gynecological admissions to hospitals result from complications of unsafe induced abortion. Providing postabortion care to these women involves huge costs and thus diminishes the health care system's capacity to provide other needed services. 4 Reducing the burden of unsafe abortion on women, their families, health care providers and the fragile health care system presents an important policy challenge to Nigeria and similar developing countries.At the same time, some evidence suggests that abortions may be safer in Nigeria now than they were a decade ago, as more women appear to be obtaining the procedure from trained professionals. According to data from a survey of women in [2002][2003], an estimated 10% of women who had abortions were hospitalized due to complications. 5 In 1996, this proportion was estimated at 20% on the basis of health professionals' perceptions. 6 Although the methodologies that produced these estimates are different, the substantial reduction suggests that abortion may have become safer. Severity and Cost of Unsafe Abortion Complications Treated in Nigerian Hospitals

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“…Because abortion is illegal in Nigeria except to save a woman's life, many procedures are conducted under unsafe conditions and carry a substantial risk of maternal morbidity 6 and mortality. 7 It is estimated that about 25% of women who have abortions in Nigeria experience serious complications. 8 According to national surveys, Nigerian women and couples want fewer children than they once did: Between 1990 and 2003, the mean desired number of children declined from 5.8 to 5.3.…”

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confidence: 99%