Determinants of abortions in Katete District of Zambia: A hospital based survey

• Main Author: Cibangu Katamba
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Makhdoomi Printers 2015-01-01
• Series: Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health
• Subjects: Determinants; Abortions; Induced; Spontaneous; Katete
• Online Access: http://gjmedph.com/uploads/O7-Vo4No1.pdf

This research was conducted at Saint Francis at Saint Francis Hospital over a period of four months (from September 22nd 2014 to January 23rd 2015). 168 women aged 12 to 46 years admitted and treated for incomplete abortion in Gynecology ward were interviewed. 63 participants (37.5%) had induced abortions and 105 participants (62.5%) had spontaneous abortions. All induced abortions were the results of unplanned pregnancies. The majority of all abortions (57.1%) resulted from unplanned pregnancies as compared to only 42.9% resulting from planned pregnancies (p<0.05). Both married and single participants had increased unmet needs for family planning. 57.3% of women had used contraceptives in the past and also had unintended pregnancies resulting in abortions. A significant number of induced abortions (22.2%) were incidentally caused by inappropriate use of contraceptives by providers. Sexual activities start as early as 9 years in Katete. Most youths with induced abortions were involved in unstable relationships, desired to continue with education, feared to ruin their future, and had limited knowledge and inconsistent use of contraceptive methods. The major determinants for induced abortions amongst participants were unplanned/unintended pregnancies. Other determinants such as illiteracy, lack of information, young age, poverty, and unsafe sex need to be addressed. There is need to promote consistent and correct use of contraceptives, to strengthen the health care delivery system and maintain the cold chain of contraceptive supply for sustainable availability and accessibility. Conjugated efforts by health care providers, community leaders, policy makers and politicians are needed to extirpate negative believes (on modern contraceptives) and cultural norms that promote unhealthy sexual and reproductive life.