The contribution of previous induced abortion to tubal ectopic pregnancy

Data from a one year prospective study of thirty-one tubal ectopic pregnancies and ninety-three matched controls is presented. Compared with the controls, a history of induced abortion, was not only statistically significantly more frequent amongst the subjects (P less than 001) but was the Penultimate cyesis in 41.9% of ectopic cases as against 3.2% of the controls (P less than 001). Non-physicians provided 51.6% and 3.3% of induced abortions in the study and control groups respectively. Complications occurred in 51.6% of study population and 6.5% of controls. It is concluded that induced abortions created the predispotion to tubal implantation in the study population and therefore a reduction in the incidence of illegally induced abortion in the community can reduce the incidence of ectopic tubal gestation and tubal infertility.