Pre-procedure use of misoprostol reduces complications of early surgical abortion
8 March 2012 - Findings from a study by HRP and partners show that women who have their cervixes dilated with misoprostol in preparation for early surgical abortion have a significantly lower overall risk of a complication from the procedure than those receiving placebo. The decrease in complications was primarily that of incomplete abortion, but there was also a reduction in unscheduled clinic visits and hospital admissions after the procedure. When induced abortion is performed by qualified persons using correct techniques and in sanitary conditions complications are rare.
Induced abortion worldwide: long-term decline has stalled
19 January 2012 - After a period of substantial decline, the global abortion rate has stalled, according to new research from WHO and the Guttmacher Institute. Between 1995 and 2003 the abortion rate per 1000 women of childbearing worldwide dropped from 35 to 29; the new study found that in 2008 the global abortion rate was 28 per 1000, almost unchanged since 2003. The researchers also found that nearly half of all abortions worldwide are unsafe procedures and almost all unsafe abortions occur in the developing world.
Unsafe abortion: Estimates and prevention
Unsafe abortion and deaths due to complications of unsafe abortion continue to afflict the lives of many women, mostly in developing countries. Unsafe abortion is the cause of serious complications and disability for millions of women each year and is a prominent cause of maternal death. Despite efforts to achieve Millennium Development Goal 5 Target 5A – reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio between 1990 and 2015 – the percentage of maternal deaths due to unsafe abortion remains unchanged at 13%.
New estimates and trends regarding unsafe abortion mortality
31 August 2011- Important gains have been made in reducing maternal deaths attributable to unsafe abortion. However, 1 in 8 maternal deaths globally and 1 in 5 maternal deaths in Eastern Africa continue to be attributable to unsafe abortion. Averting these preventable deaths can contribute to achieving Millennium Development Goal number 5 of improving maternal health.