Biosocial profile of women with incomplete abortions in Ga-Rankuwa Hospital, Medunsa, RSA

1. To obtain information on the nature and extent of the problems of incomplete abortion in Ga-Rankuwa Hospital. 2. To gain a better understanding of women's attitudes regarding abortions in the Ga-Rankuwa community. 3. To identify the predominant biosocial factors that might influence outcome, morbidity, mortality, management and cost among those who induce abortion.

Cross sectional descriptive observational study.

Ga-Rankuwa Hospital which is a tertiary hospital approximately 40 km from Pretoria.

355 women of various ages and gestational ages were studied.

It was noted from this study that women in the younger age group, of less parity, single and unemployed were found more likely to interfere with their pregnancies and thus induce abortion.

There was no statistical difference between those who induced abortion and those who had spontaneous abortion, in terms of gestational age at which the abortion occurred. More of those who had interfered with their pregnancies were admitted for septic incomplete abortion, whereas those with no evidence of intervention were admitted to inevitable and spontaneous abortion (p < 0.001). Of those who had induced abortion 98.5pc stated that they did not want their pregnancies, compared with 39.3pc of those who did not interfere with their pregnancies (p < 0.001).

The study highlights the importance and relevance of the abortion issue particularly in RSA where abortion is about to be legalized. Whether the legalization will decrease morbidity and mortality associated with criminally induced abortions remains to be established. The study also shows that those who induce abortion are worse off in terms of morbidity and other sequelae as well as cost to the health care system. Strategies for reducing the rate of abortion have been discussed.