Definition:

Ratio of (i) numerator: total number of hospitalizations recorded as owing to complications arising after abortion, and (ii) denominator: total number of hospitalizations related to pregnancy and childbirth (pregnancy, delivery and puerperium). This indicator is expressed per 100 hospitalizations related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Notes:

For a better interpretation of this indicator, it is defined as the proportion of hospitalizations for abortion over the total number of hospitalizations. It might be more precise if the denominator referred to hospitalizations due to problems related to pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium defined internationally.

The well-known under-reporting of abortion, especially in the majority of countries in the region where the procedure is illegal (with the exception of certain grounds such as rape, danger to the woman’s life) has led countries and agencies to propose estimation methodologies that are accessible in specialized agencies and academia.

Additional indicators of universal access, maternal health, and legislation (institutional) related to this issue can be found in the annexes at: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44057/1/
9789243596839_spa.pdf.