Risk factors for abortion among women in Kitwe-Zambia

A study of this nature has not been done before either in Kitwe or Zambia at large and hence the need to carry it out now. The main objective of this study was to identify risk factors for abortion among women in Kitwe. It was a case-control study conducted at Kitwe Central Hospital (KCH) in Zambia. The cases were 2 00 consecutive women admitted to Kitwe Central Hospital with abortion between December 1996 and February 1997. Controls were 200 consecutive women who had normal delivery within the same Hospital during the same period. Analysis indicated a significant association between abortions and marital status, type of marriage, and infection. Other factors showed no significant difference. Most of the women were not on any form of Family Planning. Attention needs to be given to pregnant women with personal or family history of spontaneous abortion and who have had an infection during the current pregnancy. Counselling and health education on risks and dangers of abortion are recommended. The provisions of the termination of pregnancy act should be promoted to prevent criminal abortion.