id21 health focus, August 2007

Unsafe abortion

Editorial:The high cost of unsafe abortion

Every eight minutes a woman dies somewhere in a developing country due to complications from an unsafe abortion. She most likely had little money or support to obtain safe services. She probably first tried to induce a termination herself. Failing that she would have turned to an unskilled, but relatively inexpensive, provider.

The cost of unsafe abortion-related ill-health and death was the subject of a technical meeting held at the Institute of Development Studies (UK) on 18 and 19 April 2007. It was funded by the Hewlett Foundation and brought together experts on unsafe abortion and economists specialising in costing methods. The meeting reviewed recent work estimating the cost of unsafe abortion to the health sector. Participants also discussed the economic costs to health systems, individuals and households, and the links between unsafe abortion and poverty. This issue of id21 health focus highlights the findings reviewed at the meeting and points to important lessons for decision-makers.

Read the whole editorial

High school students in Bucharest, Romania, examine a condom advice leaflet and other contraceptive educational materials during a talk on sexual health. Peter Barker (Panos Pictures), 2006

Other articles in this issue:

The health dangers of unsafe abortion

Induced abortion is a safe medical procedure when carried out by skilled practitioners in hygienic environments. In places with restrictive abortion laws, untrained providers, unsanitary conditions and limited access to high quality abortion services, women are much more likely to experience immediate complications, long-term disabilities or sometimes death. The harm caused by unsafe abortion practices is largely preventable.

Unsafe abortion costs in Mexico City

Until 2007, when first trimester abortion was legalised in Mexico City, abortion was restricted in Mexico. Even in cases when abortion was legal, few states established effective care systems. Women often found illegal abortion services more accessible.

The economic impact of unsafe abortion

The costs of treating complications arising from unsafe abortion are a burden on health systems in developing countries. They divert scarce health resources when safe, cost-effective alternatives are available. Alternatives to unsafe abortion, such as contraception or safe abortion services (where legal), are cost-effective.

Saving women's lives

Calling for a giant leap in international abortion policy

While the public health impact of unsafe abortion has long been recognised, little has been done to tackle the strategic and policy barriers to saving women's lives.

Reducing abortion costs to health systems

Strategies to reduce health system costs of providing abortion and post-abortion care while simultaneously improving quality of care are well documented but infrequently applied.

Useful web links

PDF version

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