海角大神

The authors of the recent study published in The Lancet interpret their findings in light of the impending 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals for improving the lives of the poor. The study鈥檚 authors write, 鈥淸t]he substantial decline in the abortion rate observed earlier has stalled, and the proportion of all abortions that are unsafe has increased鈥�. Measures to reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion, including investments in family planning services and safe abortion care, are crucial steps toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals.鈥�
 
However, Solter says one of the most important aspects recognized by the recent study is how difficult it is to collect data on abortions, and particularly unsafe abortions.  She says unsafe abortions tend to rank fourth on lists of leading factors in maternal mortality.  鈥淏ut sometimes women鈥檚 deaths are miscategorized鈥�. A mother may die of hemorrhaging, but that could really be the effect of an unsafe abortion,鈥� she says.
 
She says the study鈥檚 data and findings could make an impact in developing countries.
 
鈥淭here is more and more interest now in maternal mortality鈥�. When health ministries come to see what a huge risk unsafe abortions are, when they have hard proof and data that say it鈥檚 a major cause of mortality, it may make them more likely to address it,鈥� Solter says.
 
Care for unsafe abortions can be costly.  鈥淚t actually impoverishes ministries of health. Some of the countries where [I] work, the annual budget is only a few dollars per person each year.  Dealing with someone who comes in hemorrhaging from an unsafe abortion is costly,鈥� says Solter. 鈥淎nd its preventable,鈥� she says, adding that it is not just a question of mortality but morbidity.
 
鈥淯nsafe abortions can damage women for the rest of their lives,鈥� she says.