Islamabad : Pakistan recorded 2.25 million abortion cases in 2012, with the rate of annual abortions doubling in 10 years due to minimal use of contraception in its conservative society, according to a report.
The report titled ‘Induced Abortions and Unintended Pregnancies in Pakistan’ was carried out by Population Council in collaboration with Guttmacher Institute in US.
“There were 50 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-49 in 2012 as compared to 27 in 2002,” the report says.
The total estimated number of abortions in 2012 stood at 2.25 million which was carried out secretly due to lack of laws about permissible abortions.
Majority of abortions were performed by unqualified people or involved traditional methods.
The report released on Wednesday shows 6,23,000 women were treated for complications resulting from induced abortions in 2012, showing the downside of conservative society where abortions are frowned upon.
During the studies, 266 health facilities were surveyed and 102 health care professionals and 44 women who had induced abortion were interviewed, reports PTI.
A second report titled ‘Investigating the low use of contraceptive methods in Pakistan and its causes and dimensions’ launched at the event showed a growing acceptance of contraception in Pakistan.
Sajjad Hussain
