Over the six month study period we sought to identify
all women admitted to the hospital with suspected or
confirmed abortion, including both spontaneous and induced
abortion. Women were identified through daily
review of available admission records at the emergency
department, out-patient department, well woman clinic
and the obstetrics and gynaecology ward. Inclusion criteria
included women admitted with: excessive vaginal
bleeding; lower abdominal pain with vaginal discharge/
bleeding; fever with vaginal bleeding/discharge and/or;
foreign body in-uteri or pelvic injury. In line with the
PNG National Department of Health guidelines, abortion
was defined as vaginal bleeding before 20 weeks
gestation or fetal weight of less than 500grams. Women
presenting after 20 weeks gestation were included in
the study if they specifically indicated interference with
the pregnancy