Pattern of Abortion Care in a Tertiary Level Maternity Hospital in Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Complications from unsafe abortion are believed to account for the largest proportion
of hospital admissions for gynaecological services in developing countries and not to mention the
cost it imparts to the health system of a country. Therefore, it is equally important to find out the
prevalence and the pattern of abortion among the women who utilize the safe abortion care services
and provide a framework to target various health promotion programs including safe-motherhood
and reproductive health; such that the future interventions to avoid the unintended pregnancy and
unsafe abortion can be implemented accordingly.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Social and demographic information of all the women seeking induced abortions from January 2011
to December 2012 were included and the result was analyzed.

Result: Abortion contributed to about 1.68% of the total patient served in the hospital that provides
both obstetrical and gynecological services. Of the total 4830 patients who underwent induced
abortion in this period, the mean age was 27, 92.3% were from the Kathmandu valley and more than
one-third women (35.2%) were illiterate who couldn't read and write. Majorities were more than two
parity and belonged to higher caste.

Conclusion: The socio-demographic profile of the abortion clients in Nepal has remained similar
over the years. We need to address the accessibility and availability to the safe abortion care services
along with other safe motherhood programs guaranteeing access to safe abortion and post-abortion
care to all group of women and also, women education regarding contraception to avoid repeated
abortions or unwanted pregnancy in the future.
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Keywords: abortion; pattern; socio-demographic.