Abstract

Smitha Sreenivas K, Uma Devi N and Pratheesh Rajendran

Unintended pregnancies lead women to obtain induced abortion which may result in maternal morbidity and mortality. An awareness of their characteristics help identify women in particular need of services and counseling to prevent unplanned pregnancy. A hospital based prospective study was carried out for a period of 9 months from January 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012 where 150 women requesting for medical termination of pregnancy were enrolled. Data was collected using a pre-structured questionnaire and examined age, marital status and number of live born children, educational status, monthly family income, religion, trimester and gestational age of pregnancy and indication and method of termination. Data was presented as frequency and percentages of pregnancies terminated. Majority occurred among women aged 21-24years. Married women obtained 94% of abortions. Most of the patients had 3 prior live births (45.3%). 55.3% had education up to only tenth class and had low monthly family income (71.3%) and came in the first trimester (77.3%). In 48% indication for MTP was contraceptive failure, 48% could be offered medical abortion. All second trimester MTP responded to medical management. Lack of effective contraceptive measures was the major factor for unintended pregnancies. Effective counseling and availability of contraceptives would decrease induced abortions.