Résumé : In Brazil, induced abortion is illegal except in cases of rape or when pregnancy would seriously endanger the life of the pregnant woman. This paper describes a study of the determinants and medical characteristics of induced abortion in Fortaleza, northeast Brazil, from a 1-year prospective study of women admitted to hospitals with complications associated with pregnancy loss. Data were collected from hospital record excerpts and by interviewing cases. Overall, findings indicate that self-administration of medicines (mainly misoprostol) plays an important role in pregnancy termination. Most women seeking hospital care for complications of induced abortion tend to be young, single or living without a stable partner, of low parity, with limited formal education, and not using an effective contraceptive method at the time of conception. Their medical characteristics indicate fewer complications, since these women seek hospital care after self-administration of misoprostol. The findings suggest the need for improved access to family planning and health care, including surgical abortion by vacuum aspiration as well as a more efficient oral abortifacient in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with induced abortion.
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