Unsafe abortion: Global and regional estimates of the incidence of unsafe abortion and associated mortality in 2008. Sixth edition.

Abstract

This sixth edition of the WHO Global and regional estimates of unsafe abortion and associated mortality is intended for policy-makers and programme managers health workers and nongovernmental organizations in the area of sexual and reproductive health researchers groups and individuals concerned with unsafe abortion as well as others interested in information on unsafe abortion. More details of the data and methods used in the estimates are given in Annex 1. A background to and characteristics of unsafe abortion are presented in Chapter 1. To better understand the levels and trends in unsafe abortion the legal context of abortion and barriers both to abortion services and to medical care for women who have had an unsafe abortion and experience complications are described in Chapters 2 and 3. Chapter 4 covers interactions in abortion unplanned pregnancy contraceptive use and failure and unmet need for contraception; as well as the role that abortion plays in the transition from high to low fertility levels. The health consequences of unsafe abortion and the global burden for women and for society are examined in Chapter 5. The distinction in rates and ratios when calculated for all countries or for countries with evidence of unsafe abortion are explained in Chapter 6. The global incidence and subregional differentials are presented in Chapter 7 with an in-depth analysis of the levels and trends. The geographical regions and subregions referred to in this report are those classified by the United Nations Population Division (UNPD). Chapter 8 presents the mortality estimates. The report highlights the urgency in preventing unsafe abortion and concludes (Chapter 9) with policy and programme recommendations to reduce unsafe abortion.