PIP: This study assesses socio-economic burdens of patients bearing complications arising from induced abortions in the hospitals of Cotonou, Benin, and outlying maternities. The 1-year prospective study took place in three centers. Patients included in the sample were stratified as: certain induced abortion (28.1%), probable induced abortion (19.5%), possible induced abortion (16.1%), spontaneous abortion (25.8%), and threatened abortion (8.7%). The higher number of cases were recruited among patients aged 20-34 years and were mostly married. The major reasons for hospitalization included hemorrhage and lumbar and pelvic pain. Genital hemorrhage was the most frequent complication encountered. Certain induced abortion was most often induced by the patient herself and was mainly due to the unwantedness of the pregnancy. Ignorance was the principal reason given for the non-use of contraception. Finally, the mortality rate was very high at 21/1000.