Unsafe Induced Abortion in an Adolescent Following Misinformation and Sexual Exploitation: A Case Report

Abstract

Adolescents in low-resource settings have inadequate access to accurate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and care. Misinformation, peer influence, and restrictive laws often result in harmful practices such as unsafe abortion, contributing significantly to adolescent morbidity and mortality. We report the case of a 14-year-old Nigerian girl who, at 13 years of age, was misled by a peer to believe that remaining a virgin would prevent her from bearing children. Acting on this falsehood, she paid a man Two Thousand Naira to have sexual intercourse with her. Months later, she became amenorrhoeic, but she was made to believe that her menstruation was “stuck,” and an unsafe induced abortion was attempted. She subsequently had severe post-abortion haemorrhage, post-abortion sepsis and hypovolaemic shock. She was successfully managed with resuscitation, uterine evacuation, intravenous antibiotics, and blood transfusion. This case underscores how misinformation, peer influence, and lack of adolescent-friendly SRH services can result in sexual abuse and life-threatening outcomes.