TY - JOUR AU - Nkwabong, Elie AU - Bechem, Efuetnkeng AU - Fomulu, Joseph Nelson PY - 2014/04/25 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Outcome of clandestine abortions in two University Teaching Hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon. JF - HEALTH SCIENCES AND DISEASE JA - Health Sci. Dis. VL - 15 IS - 2 SE - Research Articles DO - 10.5281/hsd.v15i2.286 UR - https://www.hsd-fmsb.org/index.php/hsd/article/view/286 SP - AB - <p><strong>PURPOSE: </strong>To evaluate the outcome of clandestine abortions.</p><p><strong>MATERIAL AND METHODS: </strong>This retrospective descriptive study was conducted between March 1<sup>st</sup> and August 31<sup>st</sup>, 2012 in the maternities of the University Teaching Hospital and the Central Hospital of Yaoundé, Cameroon. Files of women with clandestinely induced abortion were reviewed. Main variables studied were maternal age, gestational age, abortionist’s qualification, method used and the complications presented.</p><p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Ninety-four abortions were recorded. Mean gestational age was 11.0 ± 3.4 weeks. Methods used were mainly manual vacuum aspiration (39.4%), dilatation and curettage (29.8%) and misoprostol (13.8%). Abortionists were mostly health assistants (62.7%) and general practitioners (14.9%). Major abortion complications were severe anemia (24.5%), pelvic infection (18.1%), hypovolemic shock (17.1%) and incomplete abortion (16%). Maternal death occurred in 2.1%.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Clandestine abortions are still associated with maternal complications including death.</p><p><strong>KEY WORDS: </strong>Clandestine abortions, Abortionists, Complications, Cameroon.</p> ER -