title: Misoprostol and illegal abortion in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
abstract: We report on the determinants and consequences of induced abortion among 803 women admitted to hospital with abortion complications in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1991. 458 (57%) women reported using misoprostol to induce abortion, 74% in the first 4 months of pregnancy. Doses of 200-16,800 micrograms were reported, with a median of 800 micrograms. 65% of the women took the drug orally, 29% used a combination of oral and vaginal routes, and 6% administered it intravaginally. Vaginal bleeding and uterine cramps were the commonest reasons for seeking hospital care. Only 8% of women reported gastrointestinal side-effects. Misoprostol induced vaginal bleeding within 12 h of administration in 52% of the women, but 16% waited 10 days or more for onset of bleeding. 4% were admitted to hospital with complete abortion. The likelihood of bleeding starting within 12 h increased with duration of gestation and it was greater when the drug was used both orally and intravaginally. A significantly smaller proportion of women taking misoprostol than of those who induced abortion by catheter insertion presented signs of infection or physical injuries or required blood transfusion (< 0.0005). Among 803 women interviewed at delivery as controls, 6% had taken misoprostol but abortion had not ensued. Misoprostol has an important role as an abortifacient among the women studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods, National School of Public Health Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Vessey
mesh_terms: D000024:Abortion, Illegal; D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000139:chemically induced; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D016595:Misoprostol