Unsafe abortion among young people in Katete, Zambia

Abstract

The current research took place at Saint Francis Hospital. It is a hospital based

health survey using semi-structured questionnaire. A total number of 39

youths participated in the study, including 28 adolescents (71.8%) and 11 older

youths (28.2%). The majority were single and school going girls. 37% of

adolescent had their first sex intercourse on the year following menarche. The

average ages at menarche and first sex were 13 years and 15 years respectively

for both groups. Most girls (61.5%) did not know their HIV status while 38.5%

were HIV negative. All pregnancies were unplanned and unwanted, resulting in

induced abortions. The majority of abortions were unsafe and unsanitary,

conducted in the bush, in homes/villages, at school, and sometimes in drug

shops. They were either self induced or conducted by lay providers. Only 28.6%

of adolescent had used contraceptives in the past, mostly condoms; as

compared to 54.5% of older youths. 67.9% of adolescents and 81.8% of older

youths were involved in risky, unstable relationships (multiple and/or concurrent sexual partners). The

common complications of abortions were: retained product of conception, sepsis, haemorrhage, shock, pelvic

infection, and lacerations of the cervix. Projects and programmes aiming at addressing unsafe sex and

reproductive health needs among young people are urgently needed.