Worldwide abortions getting less safe
Thursday January 19th, 2012
Growing numbers of women are having unsafe abortions, the World Health Organisation warned today.
Worldwide
the number of abortions has increased slightly - but the proportion of
unsafe procedures has increased dramatically this century, the WHO said.
The issue may highlight growing demand for the procedure in countries where it is banned or highly restricted, the experts say. It may also indicate lack of access to family planning in these countries.
In western Europe just 12 abortions are performed for every 1,000 women of child-bearing age - although the operation is easy to obtain in many countries.
In North America the rate is 19 per 1,000 but it rises to 29 per 1,000 in Africa and 32 per 1,000 in Latin America.
The latest analysis shows worldwide rates of abortion falling from 1995 to 2003 - from 35 to 29 per 1,000. And by 2008 it stood at 28 per 1,000.
But during this period the proportion of "unsafe" procedures increased from 44 per cent to 49 per cent.
WHO analysts worked with Dr Gilda Sedgh, of the Guttmacher Institute, New York, USA, on the research.
The researchers write: "The substantial decline in the abortion rate observed earlier has stalled, and the proportion of all abortions that are unsafe has increased. Restrictive abortion laws are not associated with lower abortion rates.
"Measures to reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion, including investments in family planning services and safe abortion care, are crucial steps toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals."
Lancet editor Dr Richard Horton added: "These latest figures are deeply disturbing. The progress made in the 1990s is now in reverse. Promoting and implementing policies to reduce the number of abortions is now an urgent priority for all countries and for global health agencies, such as WHO.
"Condemning, stigmatising, and criminalising abortion are cruel and failed strategies. It's time for a public health approach that emphasises reducing harm — and that means more liberal abortion laws."
Tags: Africa | Childbirth and Pregnancy | Women’s Health & Gynaecology | World Health
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