Women under age 20 account for more than their share of abortion complication cases and related deaths reported by developing-country hospitals (207, 394, 410, 473). For example, in Latin American studies 14% to almost 40% of women hospitalized for abortion complications during the 1980s were under age 20 (34, 397). In African studies the percentages were even higher, with women under age 20 accounting for as much as 68% of abortion complications treated at selected hospitals (9, 11, 78, 328). Young unmarried women are more likely than older women to seek abortions from untrained providers and to attempt dangerous, late, and often self-induced abortions (54, 147, 220, 394, 538). Also, because of fear, shame, lack of access, or lack of money, young women are more likely to delay seeking medical care if complications arise after abortion (566).

The health risks of unsafe abortion include sepsis (infection) caused by unsanitary instruments or incomplete abortion, hemorrhage, injuries to genital organs (such as cervical laceration and uterine perforation), and toxic reactions to chemicals or drugs used to induce abortion. Severe but nonfatal complications include infertility and vesico-vaginal fistula (241, 282).