The characteristics of women seeking termination of pregnancy at an urban-based government hospital in the Eastern Cape.

This study is a small-scale descriptive epidemiology, in which the characteristics of women seeking a termination of their pregnancy (TOP) at a government hospital in the Eastern Cape are investigated. All women presenting for TOP over a five week period were included in the sample, resulting in 211 participants. Data were collected via questionnaires administered by the health service providers at the TOP Clinic. Results indicate that most participants were between the ages of 20 and 30, were Black African and single, live in extended or multi-generational families, and earn no or low income. For a minority, this was their first pregnancy. None had had a previous termination of pregnancy. Most presented in the first trimester, with no correlation being found between age and number of weeks pregnant when presenting. Most were not accompanied to the Clinic, with older women being significantly less likely to be accompanied. While partners hardly ever accompanied the woman, they were the ones most likely to be told about the TOP. Reasons cited for the TOP were predominantly of a financial nature, with educational disruption also featuring strongly. Women were generally in a medium- to long-term relationship with the man coresponsible for the pregnancy.