PLoS ONE (Jan 2018)

Trends in misoprostol use and abortion complications: A cross-sectional study from nine referral hospitals in Nigeria.

  • Folasade Adenike Bello,
  • Bukola Fawole,
  • Babawale Oluborode,
  • Ibraheem Awowole,
  • Theresa Irinyenikan,
  • David Awonuga,
  • Olabisi Loto,
  • Adetokunbo Fabamwo,
  • Philip Guest,
  • Bela Ganatra

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209415
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 12
p. e0209415

Abstract

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ObjectiveThe study aimed to assess the use of misoprostol and complications associated with abortions in referral hospitals in Nigeria, a country with restrictive abortion laws.MethodsA cross-sectional study at nine referral hospitals in South-west Nigeria. Nine years' data were retrieved from medical records, including 699 induced abortions. Independent variable was the method of abortion; dependent variables were complications, need for treatment and mortality. Statistical significance was tested with Chi-square, Fishers' exact and chi-square for trend tests (pResultsThere were 699 induced abortions amongst 2,463 abortions found in records. Nearly 70% were surgical abortions, but misoprostol use significantly increased over the study period in a linear trend (Χ2 trend: 30.96, P ConclusionMisoprostol abortion has significantly increased over time, and was associated with less morbidity and need for further treatment, in this study. It appears to be the safer option.