Unsafe abortion: A cruel way of birth control

SR Shrivastava, PS Shrivastava, J Ramasamy

Abstract

Background: Unsafe abortion refers to a procedure for terminating an unintended pregnancy performed either by persons lacking the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards, or both.
Objectives: The objectives of the study are to assess the factors  attributing to practice of unsafe abortion and to suggest feasible and cost-effective measures to counter the same.
Methods: An extensive search of all materials related to the topic was made using library sources including Pubmed, Medline and World Health Organization. Keywords used in the search include unsafe abortion and unintended pregnancy.
Results: Multiple socio-demographic determinants and barriers such as illiterate women, poor socio-economic status, poor awareness about  abortion services, associated stigma, and untrained health professionals have been identified resulting in restricted utilization/access of women to safe abortion services. Consequences of unsafe abortion have been  alarming, seriously questioning the quality of health care delivery system.
Conclusion: Concerted and dedicated efforts of government in collaboration with the private sector, community members and non-governmental  organizations are needed to ensure that women have a better access to contraceptives, abortion services, and post-abortion care that are safe, affordable, and free from stigma.

Keywords: Unsafe abortion, unintended pregnancy, Millennium development goals, Public health