Majority of complications arising from failed abortions happen in the months of February to April: There were 74 cases in January, 75 in February, 82 in March, 69 in April and 73 in May and “Most of these are Campus students. A popular university in this city is the leading.
Most of them conceive during December holidays,” said Mirikau, adding that “Most of them procured abortions not because their lives are in danger, but because these were unplanned pregnancies. They tell us here openly that they cannot use condoms and family planning.”
From the register, the age group was 15-35 years old, but a majority are between 18-25 years. A few of the cases are married women.
Mirikau also blamed a number of the student cases on emergency pills, which he said are on a rampant use.
Mirikau said that the pills cause ectopic pregnancies and tubal pregnancies, which are common among students who can hardly tell when their safe days were because of a hormonal imbalance caused by the pills.
“There is a need to advocate for health and sex education in campuses,” said Mirikau.
Dr Maranga told The Nairobian that most of the young cases were because of a lack of support systems like counselling. The ban on abortion, he said, puts the caregiver and the patient at an awkward place.
“Caught in between the law is usually the patient. There is the money bit, and that is where the quacks come in, because there is a lot of money in abortion,” said Dr Maranga, adding they offer counselling sessions to victims.