FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SEPTIC ABORTION AMONG WOMEN AGED 15-45 YEARS ATTENDING POSTNATAL CLINIC AT IRAN-UGANDA HOSPITAL, KAMPALA DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background:
Septic abortion is an infection of the placenta and fetus, products of conception, of a pre-viable pregnancy. The purpose of the study was to examine the Factors contributing to septic abortion among women aged 15-45 years attending IRAN-Uganda Hospital, Kampala district.
Methodology:
A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used to describe factors contributing to septic abortion among women aged 15-45 years attending IRAN-Uganda Hospital. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was adopted in this study that involved observation of a sample of a population or phenomena made at one point in time. 30 respondents were involved in the study who were selected using convenient random sampling procedures.
Results:
The majority of them (83.3%) were Catholics, half of them (50.0%) had never been to school, Majority (46.7%) of them were single. The majority of the respondents (46.7%) were employed, (93.3%) of them reported that the distance from home to the nearest health facility contributed to septic abortion, the majority (66.7%) reported unavailability of healthcare services being part of the factors leading to septic abortion, (56.7%) reported high cost of safe abortion services, (70%) reported that Poor attitude of health workers whereas (86.7%) said long- waiting-time, majority (66.7%) reported that unnecessary requirement like parent’s or spouse consent before providing abortion services led to septic abortion
Conclusion:
Personal factors, socio-economic factors, and health facility-related factors contributed to septic abortions among the respondents hence advocacy is needed to improve and prevent septic abortions among women.
Recommendation;
Septic abortion among women can be reduced and managed by considering and maintaining a balance between regular health education talks about the dangers of septic abortion and all categories of abortions, and mass sensitization of the community against practices of septic abortion.