[Illegal abortion with misoprostol in Guadeloupe]

J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris). 2013 Apr;42(2):137-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jgyn.2012.10.006. Epub 2012 Nov 22.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the typical profile, and to assess the motivations of women who underwent illegal abortion with misoprostol in Guadeloupe (French West Indies).

Materials and methods: We conducted a 1-year prospective study on women who consulted after failure or complication of an illegal abortion with misoprostol.

Results: Fifty-two cases of illegal abortion with misoprostol were recorded. The most common profile was an unemployed woman, who was unmarried, foreign-born, had no medical insurance, and a low level of education; the median age was 28 (range 17 to 40). The justifications given were that the legal procedure was considered to be too slow, the young age of the woman, the ease of the self-medication procedure, a history of illegal abortion by misoprostol in the woman's country of origin, ignorance of the legal process, and financial and/or administrative problems.

Conclusion: The problem of illegal abortion is probably underestimated in Guadeloupe and possibly France. This description of the profile of the population concerned and the justifications for choosing illegal abortion by misoprostol provides elements allowing better focus of education concerning abortion, contraception and family planning. Access to legal abortion centers should also be improved.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal*
  • Abortion, Criminal / statistics & numerical data*
  • Abortion, Induced / methods
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Educational Status
  • Family Planning Services
  • Female
  • Guadeloupe
  • Humans
  • Medically Uninsured
  • Misoprostol* / administration & dosage
  • Pregnancy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Self Administration
  • Single Person
  • Unemployment

Substances

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
  • Misoprostol