TITLE:
Discharge against Medical Advice in Obstetrics and Gynecology Units of Two Hospitals of Yaoundé
AUTHORS:
Serge Robert Nyada, Edith Cynthia Foyet, Christiane Nsahlaï, Cliford Ebong Ebontane, Isidore Tompeen, Véronique Batoum Mboua, Pascale Mpono Emenguele, Michèle Mendoua, Eric Nseme, Julius Dohbit Sama
KEYWORDS:
Discharge against Medical Advice, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Determinants, Yaoundé
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.16 No.5,
May
13,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Discharge against medical advice is a public health problem affecting all healthcare facilities worldwide. It can have serious repercussions for the patient. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and typical profile of patients who were discharged against medical advice in the gynecology and obstetrics departments of Yaoundé. Methods and Materials: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in two hospitals in Yaoundé, covering the period from January 2022 to December 2024. Results: Of the 4476 admissions recorded, we observed 174 cases of discharge against medical advice and retained 143 patient files. The median age was 27 years. 60.8% of the patients had a secondary education, and 56.7% had no income. They consulted spontaneously in 56.6% of cases for pelvic pain (48.3%) and vaginal bleeding (38.5%). The main diagnoses upon admission were postpartum hemorrhage (20.3%), severe malaria during pregnancy (14.7%), and premature rupture of membranes (13.3%). Discharge against medical advice was initiated by the patient in 39.2% of cases; it was justified by financial difficulties (85.3%). The discharge against medical advice form was present in 75.5% of cases but did not meet all compliance criteria. Conclusion: Discharges against medical advice from gynecology and obstetrics services primarily involved young women and were justified by financial difficulties.