Clinico-Demographic profile of incomplete miscarriage at National Referral Hospital, Bhutan

Abstract

Introduction: Miscarriage is a leading health concern that causes maternal morbidity and mortality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the incidence of miscarriage is 39 per 1000 women aged between 15-49 years. There is no reliable information regarding miscarriage in Bhutan. This investigation attempts to study the clinical and demographic profile of incomplete miscarriages and their outcome at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), Bhutan. Methods: An observational study was carried out from February 2020 to February 2021 including 132 women with incomplete miscarriage at JDWNRH. Purposive sampling was done and patient with incomplete miscarriage presenting to the JDWNRH was interviewed using structured questionnaire after diagnosis or before they were discharged from hospital. Results: The study found that the proportion of incomplete miscarriage was 25.4 per 1000 pregnant women at JDWNRH. The common age group was 21-30 years with a mean age of 29.9 years. Of them, 65.91% were married, 55.3% had a stable job and 90% were gravida 2 and above. Nearly 80% reported that it was an unplanned pregnancy and 73.5% due to lack of awareness of contraceptive use. Nearly 92% required hospital admission and 88.64% received surgical management. Conclusions: Women with incomplete miscarriages had mostly unintended pregnancies. The majority had surgical management with no mortality.