Complications of unsafe abortion: case reports and the need for curriculum review in Nigeria

Abstract

Unsafe abortion remains a major reproductive health problem in Nigeria. These are 2 case reports of unsafe abortion, one performed by a patent medicine dealer where a false passage was created in the substance of the
cervix to evacuate the uterus using a cannula. A piece of the cannula was left in situ for five years leading to chronic infection and infertility.The second case was performed by amedical practitioner for a second trimester abortion. He deliberately created a false passage in the substance of the cervix to evacuate the uterus leading to severe haemorrhage.We conclude that there is a need to reviewand improve the training ofmedical practitioners in termination of pregnancies to avoid unsafe abortion.

Keywords: unsafe abortion, cervical injury.