[Cases of abortions at the maternity hospital of Befelatanana in 1997].

The purpose of this study is to assess the frequency of spontaneous and induced abortions at the Hospital Maternity of Befelatanana, in Antananarivo--City by 1997. The study was also carried out to identify causes and risk factors of abortions in order to draw up a control program. 958 abortion cases were counted. The patient average age was 28 old years. 289 cases (30.3%) of these abortions had complications, 1 out of 25 patients died. Some of causes of abortion have been specified: prior patient health, cultural, social and economic factors. Existence of abortions is a failure report of the Reproductive Heath Program. Abortion control must be based on sanitary education in which family planning is very important, on correct management of abortion cases and their complications. But all that is not possible if there are not improvements of the standard of living.