Background: Septic abortion continues to contribute to the perennial burden of maternal mortality in the developing countries. Literature regarding the characteristics of cases from Orissa, India is virtually non-existent to formulate a preventive hypothesis. Materials and methods: Fifty consecutive cases of septic abortion treated in 3 maternity hospitals in rural part of western Orissa, India. Hospital records of these patients are analyzed to explore the epidemiological variables associated with such cases. Study design: Descriptive Epidemiology- Retrospective study of hospital records. Result: Septic abortion is common among married and multiparous women, of low socioeconomic status in the age group of 19-30 years. Timely intervention provided good cure rate. Conclusion: Adequate counseling regarding Medical Termination of Pregnancy at the grass-root level may help in curbing this menace to maternal health.

Key words: Septic abortion, criminal abortion, MTP Act.