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Table 5 Substances used by RDS participants to induce abortion

From: Women’s experiences seeking informal sector abortion services in Cape Town, South Africa: a descriptive study

N (%)

Where substance obtained

Categories of type of substance

additional medical treatment received (N (%)

13 (31%)

Traditional healer

Herbal mixtures of unknown content, ranging from 100 to 750 ml. One woman was given instruction to boil abrasive substance mixed with newspaper and swallow it with herbal mixture.

5 (38.5%)

21 (50%)a

Home remedies purchased from chemist or shop

Herbal remedy

(e.g. Stametta)

7 (33%)

8 (38%)

Dutch remedies

Haarlamans/Versterkdruppels/Essence of life

Vornokroy

Helmins drops

Potassium permanganate

12 (57%)

7 (33%)

2 (10%)

2 (10%)

1 (5%)

Abrasive substances

(e.g. steel wool mixed with oro crush)

3 (14%)

Laxatives

(e.g. Castor Oil and Epsom salts)

4 (19%)

Household cleansing agents

3 (14%)’

Bleach

1 (5%)

Ammonia based items

(e.g. Handy Andy and Jeyes Fluid)

2 (10%)

Alcohol

(e.g. Brandy and Stout)

4 (19%)

Miscellaneous tablets

ARV medication

Hypertension medication

Zifozonke

4 (19%)

1 (5%)

1 (5%)

2 (10%)

7 (17%)

Illegal provider

Miscellaneous tablets of varying shape, size and color (likely misoprostol)

2 (28.6%)

  1. a multiple responses allowed, percentages may add to >100%