Over the July 1, 1983 through June 30, 1984 period, data were collected on all women admitted to a sample of Bolivian hospitals for treatment of complications associated with abortion to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of these women along with the proportion of abortions that were illegally induced. Data was collected on the patients' symptoms, the complications involved, the medical treatment provided and hospital resources used, the patients' patterns of contraceptive use and

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... heir subsequent contraceptive plans for 4371 women hospitalized for complications associated with pregnancy loss. 992 (23%) of the abortions were classified as illegally induced; 3379 (77%) were classified as spontaneous. Women with induced abortions were more likely to have a fever exceeding 38 degrees Centigrade, infection, traumatic lesions, and excessive blood loss and also were more likely to receive antibiotics and blood transfusions. Due to abortion-related complications, 20 women, 16 of whom had reported induced abortions, received a total hysterectomy. 15 of these 20 women were less than 30 years of age and 5 had no living children. 7 women died during their hospitalization. The case-fatality rate among the 992 patients classified as having induced abortions was 6/1000 compared to 0.3/000 among women classified as having spontaneous abortions. Only 7% of the study population reported using modern clinical contraceptive methods in the month prior to conception. In sum, the physical and psychological costs of abortion to some women were high as was the cost to hospitals of treating these women. The study results indicate an obvious need to improve the delivery of family planning services in Bolivia.