Induced abortions on the rise: Study

“Why are abortions the answer? Prevalence, knowledge and attitude towards induced abortions among women attending a secondary level health care facility in Tamil Nadu, Southern India” was published in the February issue of the International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health. According to the study involving 175 women visiting the secondary care facility, just about 15.4 per cent used contraceptives, while as many as 19.5 per cent had had at least one induced abortion to avoid a pregnancy. As many as 116 (66.3%) had poor knowledge and attitude on induced abortions. The findings were critical, considering that 8 per cent of maternal deaths in India was due to unsafe abortion practices. 

Dr Anne George, Associate Professor, OG, Christian Medical College, Vellore, who co-authored the study, cited many reasons for women not opting for contraceptives. “The reasons vary from them not having the decision-making right for use of contraceptives to lack of knowledge and even easy availability of abortion pills. These are available over the counter, despite being prescription medicines,” she said.

Most women (73%) approached private medical practitioners for abortions. This is much more than 46% seen in another study. Most of them (51%) had sought care in the government sector. Dr Anne also pointed out that it was revealed that some doctors sought money for prescribing abortion pills that made accessing pharmacists easier for over the counter pills. Dr Anne said, “Empowering the women to decide on birth control measures should be the way forward. However, we are also not for forced family planning measures. It is a social issue and will take a long time to resolve.”