Background: Abortion is a public health concern because of its impact on maternal
morbidity and mortality. Each year, about 79 million unintended pregnancies, excluding
miscarriage, occur worldwide. More than half of these unintended pregnancies end in
abortion. The aims of the present study were to; assess the prevalence, risk factors associated
with abortion in Zagazig university hospitals. A cross sectional design with nested case
control design were selected in carrying out this study and representative samples of 800
women (400 aborted women and 400 non aborted women) were recruited for this study. The
tools used for data collection were; an interview questionnaire sheet, clinical assessment
form. The results were; the prevalence of abortion as estimated from the registries of
Zagazig University Hospital was 25.0 % during the period from August 2010 till July 2011.
Risk factors for abortion include; women's age, consanguinity, education, job status,
exposure to pesticide, passive smoking, coffee intake and previous abortion as well as
unwanted the current pregnancy. Eleven women were exposed to illegal and unsafe abortion
and use misoprostol to induce abortion. It can be concluded that, the prevalence of abortion
was 25.0 % during the period from August 2010 till July 2011. Risk factors for abortion
include; unhealthy life style, pregnancy complications and history of previous abortion. The
study recommended that; relevant nursing curricula must entail a detailed portion about
abortion, management and post abortal hygiene. And nursing role for women underwent
abortion should be recommended in maternity hospital protocols.