title: A survey of illegal abortion in Jimma Hospital, south western Ethiopia.
abstract: A cross-sectional descriptive study of induced abortion was conducted in Jimma Hospital, South-western Ethiopia to determine socio-economic factors and associated problems during February 25-May 5, 1996. There were a total of 80 patients with a diagnosis of induced abortion were enrolled of which 50 (62.5%) cases were admitted for bleeding and infections. Thirty six (45%) of all cases were primigravidae. Students accounted for 28 (35%) of the cases. Seventy (87.5%) of the cases could read and write and only 31 (38.8%) were married. Seventy (87.5%) knew presence of family planning methods, and 40 (50%) used at least once previously. Eighteen (22.5%) gave economic problems as reason for abortion, and 76 (95%) of them used either rubber tubes or roots of plants to induce the abortion. Of the total 42 (52.5%) believed that the right of abortion concerns mainly themselves. The study showed that the problem is quite significant in the area. We recommend for a wide scale community based study concerning the problem. A well organized sex education, family planning services and family education are also suggested in order to alleviate the problem.
authors.affiliation: Jimma Institute of Health Sciences, P.O.Box 745, Jimma, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kebede
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jira
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mariam
mesh_terms: D000024:Abortion, Illegal / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012736:Sex Education; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires