An analysis of the cost of incomplete abortion to the public health sector in South Africa--1994.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the medical costs incurred in treating women for incomplete abortion. This study was performed in conjunction with a nationwide survey of women who presented to public hospitals with incomplete abortion in 1994. DESIGN: Cost analysis with two modified Delphi panels used to develop models of resource use reflecting three severity categories of symptoms and three hospital treatment settings. SETTING: Public hospitals in South Africa. PARTICIPANTS: A panel of 15 senior level obstetrician/ gynaecologists and a second panel of 11 patient care managers representing district, regional and tertiary level hospitals in 7 provinces. MAIN RESULTS: A conservative estimate of the total cost of treating women is R18.7 million +/- R3.5 million for 1994. An estimated R9.74 million +/- R1.3 million of this was spent treating women with 'unsafe' incomplete abortions. CONCLUSIONS: The management of incomplete abortion requires significant public sector expenditure. The long-term indirect costs to women, their families and communities are discussed and treatment costs estimated so that unmet needs for medical care resulting from unsafe abortions can be addressed.