INDUCED-ABORTION IN KENYA - ITS DETERMINANTS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

In a study involving 1077 women who were admitted and treated for inco mplete abortion and its related problems at eight hospitals (seven dis trict and one mission hospitals) in six of the eight provinces of Keny a, between October 1988 and March 1989, 169 (15.7 %) had illegally ind uced unsafe abortion, based on their own history and clinical findings . The illegally Induced unsafe abortions were common among both rural and urban dwellers, and women from almost all social and economic stra ta were involved. However, they were more common among the youth (<25 year olds), school girls, those with high formal education, in formal employment, and not currently married. Majority (90.4 %), of the induc ed group said their pregnancies were unwanted, as compared to only 29. 1% of the non-induced (p<0.05). The main determining factor for termin ation of pregnancy amongst these women appeared to be the fact abet it was unwanted and/or unplanned, either because of inappropriate timing , the type of man responsible, the relationship itself and the social and economic implications thereof. This is contributed to by poor cont raceptive use inspite of very good awareness, and/or desire to use. Th ere is urgent need to integrate abortion care and related services int o the overall reproductive health care and as a part of the broader sa fe motherhood initiative in Kenya. In addition It is necessary to revi se the legal provisions on abortion so as to make them more relevant. Appropriate management of adolescent fertility, should be undertaken w ith the aim of reducing the extent of illegally induced unsafe abortio n with attendant sequealae.