Knowledge, attitude and practices in induced abortion.

Amina Aftab; Raazia Rauf; Asma Shaheen; Sughra Shahzad; Shamsa Rizwan; Riffat Shaheen

Objective: To study knowledge, attitudes and practices of the patients of induced abortion. Study Design: Descriptive analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted from July 2004 to March 2005 in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Islamic International Medical College, Railway General Hospital, Rawalpindi and Federal Government Services Hospital, Islamabad. Materials and Methods: The patients who were admitted in the Obstetrics and Gynecology with a history of induced abortion were included in the study. A special questionnaire was designed to explore the reasons which compelled them to undergo this illegal and dangerous procedure rather than using some contraception before. The patients were interviewed by a single post graduate trainee on a pre- designed Performa. The data collected was entered on SPSS- 10 and analyzed. The results were shown in percent. Results: Most of the abortions (66%) were done by dais at their homes, while 28% terminations were done by doctors at their clinics. Majority of the patients (90% and 60%& respectively) were aware of not only the religious and legal implications of abortion but also knew that it could cause great harm to their health, including the fact that it could be fatal. Majority of women (74%) were not using any contraceptive measure for no specific reason. In majority of patients (92%) it was an unwanted or unintended pregnancy which was terminated. Only 14% of patients showed reservations in using some contraceptive measure like religious position, husband`s disapproval orfear of side effects. Conclusion: The problem of induced abortion is not merely a medical problem to be resolved through medical means. Rather it falls into the social norms of people. The physician is supposed to understand the deep seated psychological inhibitions and motives which lead the patient to have (or not have) abortion.