The vast majority of these abortions are performed underground in countries that prohibit women from terminating their pregnancy.
Every year around the world, 25.5 million abortions are performed in conditions that endanger women’s lives, or one in two pregnancy terminations, reports a study published in The Lancet. Almost all of these abortions are carried out in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
“The highest proportions of ‘safe’ abortions are observed in countries where the laws are the least restrictive, the economic development is strong and the health infrastructures are of quality, which suggests that the legal framework but also the level of development of the country influence the conditions under which abortions are carried out ”, noted Dr Bela Ganatra of the WHO and responsible for the work.
Abortion prohibited in two thirds of countries
Of the 55 million abortions performed worldwide each year, more than 49 million are performed in developing countries. States which have for the most part adopted restrictive laws. In fact, still two thirds of the States of the world limit the access to abortion, either by prohibiting it completely, or by authorizing it in the event of risk for the mother, malformation of the child or rape.
In these countries, women who wish to terminate their pregnancy have no other choice but to go underground. They must trust unqualified people who often perform abortion in sometimes unhealthy conditions. Some may also try to have an abortion when their pregnancy is too advanced.
Soda, knitting needle …
According to the report of the WHO and the Guttmacher Institute (New York), 17 million abortions are considered “at risk” because they are carried out with old methods (curettage), or the use of effective drugs such as misoprostol, but without medical follow-up.
In addition, 8 million abortions classified as “very high risk”. These include abortions performed by ingestion of caustic products (soda) or decoctions of herbs known to be abortive, as well as the introduction of sharp objects into the uterus (knitting needle, umbrella rib, etc.) .
Improve access to contraception
Violent and dangerous techniques that can lead to hemorrhages, septicemia, peritonitis, or worse, damage the reproductive or digestive organs of women. 47,000 women even die each year. A declining proportion over the past 2 decades, from 60 deaths per 100,000 live births to 40.
Africa, where barely 25% of abortions are performed under “secure” conditions, has the most victims of illegal abortions. With 73.5% of abortions performed under optimal conditions, Southern Africa (1) is the only region of the continent to do almost as well as developed regions like Europe (88.8%).
“Our results remind us of the need to guarantee access to safe techniques according to the laws in force, especially in poor countries. Improving access and availability of contraceptive means would also reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, and therefore abortions. But these two strategies must be combined, ”concluded Dr Ganatra.
(1) Southern Africa is made up of South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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