Abortion rates in England in 1995: comparative study of data from district health authorities

Comment One in five pregnancies in England results in a termination, giving a mean lifetime abortion rate of 0.44 per woman, which is higher than a decade ago. 1 Most women having abortions are young (under 30), single, and childless. 2 More women (26.9%) are having repeat abortions. 2 3 Not practising safe sexual intercourse is associated with abortion, testing for HIV, and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. 4 Contraceptive use is associated with social class, and abortion rates rise with deprivation. 4 These factors indicate the need and potential for targeted, preventive interventions. Globally, illegal abortions are an important cause of morbidity and mortality among women of reproductive age, particularly in developing countries. 5 High fertility and abortion rates in developing countries can be readily explained, but high abortion rates in affluent populations of low fertility with ready access to contraception are less easy to rationalise.