Abortion Rate Similar Despite Laws -- Just As Likely in Nations That Ban It As Those That Allow It

Oct 13, 01:50 PM

Current Headlines: By Maria Cheng

LONDON - Women are just as likely to get an abortion in countries where it is outlawed as they are in countries where it is legal, according to new research.

In a study examining abortion trends from 1995 to 2003, experts also found that abortion rates are virtually equal in rich and poor countries, and that half of all abortions worldwide are unsafe.

The study was done by Gilda Sedgh of the Guttmacher Institute in the United States and colleagues from the World Health Organization. It was published in The Lancet medical journal.

"The legal status of abortion has never dissuaded women and couples, who, for whatever reason, seek to end pregnancy," Beth Fredrick, of the International Women's Health Coalition in the United Staets, said in an accompanying commentary.

Abortion accounts for 13 percent of maternal mortality worldwide. About 70,000 women die every year from unsafe abortions. An additional 5 million women suffer permanent or temporary injury.

The number of worldwide abortions has dipped from about 46 million in 1995 to just under 42 million in 2003. But there was no change in the rate of unsafe abortions; nearly half the procedures are still performed illegally in potentially dangerous conditions.

The vast majority of abortions - 35million - were in the developing world, and nearly 97 percent of all unsafe abortions were in poor countries. Worldwide, one in five pregnancies ends in abortion .

In eastern Europe, there are more abortions than live births: 105 abortions for every 100 live births, the research found. In Western Europe, there are 23 abortions for every 100 live births.

In North America, there are 33 abortions for every 100 live births, while in Africa, where abortion is illegal in most countries, there are 17 abortions for every 100 live births.

Originally published by Maria Cheng Associated Press .

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