The Hindu : New Delhi News : “78 per cent of pregnancies in the country are unintended”

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 24, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

“78 per cent of pregnancies in the country are unintended”

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The primary reason for unsafe abortions in India is unplanned pregnancies and 78 per cent of pregnancies in the country are unintended and at least 25 per cent are unwanted, according to Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI).

FOGSI president Narendra Malhotra said: “We along with the Family Planning Association of India have participated in an awareness generation programme about emergency contraception. The awareness about emergency contraception is low in this country with only one out of 100 women being aware about it. Our emphasis has been on educating women about emergency contraception and its proper usage.”

Stating that emergency contraception was a unique method which can prevent pregnancy in over 90 per cent of females even after having had unprotected sex and gives women an opportunity to prevent unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion which takes a huge toll on maternal mortality in this part of the world, Dr. Malhotra added: “We are working towards creating awareness and expanding access to emergency contraception thus providing the much-needed common ground on reproductive health issues.”

It is estimated that in India alone over six million abortions take place each year. A majority of these are performed by providers outside registered and government recognised institutions, often by untrained persons working in unhygienic conditions. About 13 per cent of maternal deaths in India result from unsafe abortions. Studies suggest that this number may be as much as 80,000 per year. Emergency contraception is, in a crisis, one of the most reliable methods of preventing unintended pregnancy.

‘Our emphasis has been on educating women about emergency contraception’

It is estimated that in India alone over six million abortions take place each year

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