A Five-Year Review of the Socio-Demographic and Obstetrical Profile of Misoprostol-Induced Abortion Cases at the Philippine General Hospital (1995-1999)

Abstract

In the Philippines, the incidence of misoprostol induced abortions, as well as the adverse effects experienced by pregnant women, has not been determined accurately in view of the legal, ethical and moral sanctions against the procedure, which deter its reporting. We reviewed the records of 217 pregnant women who sought hospital care, and were admitted, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Philippine General Hospital from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1999 for complications related to misoprostol induced abortions. The results show that the use of misoprostol was the most preferred method of inducing abortion. In fact, an increase in its use was seen from 1995 until 1999, and compared with previous studies, it shows that there was an increase in misoprostol use from 1987 until the present. Misoprostol is readily available to any age group, whether single or married, educated or not, employed or unemployed, or a member of any religion. And that despite the legal, ethical and moral sanctions against abortion, more and more women are having abortions during the first trimester of their pregnancy. The fact that these women know that misoprostol can be administered vaginally points out to us that the user or the provider of the drug may be knowledgeable about its use. The most commonly cited reasons for seeking hospital care, namely vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain and fever and chills, were already expected since these are common side effects in using misoprostol as an abortifacient drug. Though there were more adverse effects felt by those who administered misoprostol orally, and both orally and vaginally.