Under-20 abortions reveal urban India's liberal attitudes
Mahendra Singh
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New Delhi:
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Cities Have 21% Pregnancy Wastage Against Rural India's 4.4%
Most abortions reported in urban areas are below the age group of 20, pointing to a more liberal attitude towards sex and earlier engagement in sexual activity, reveals a government health survey .The NSSO survey found that among all pregnancies reported, 77% in rural and 74% in urban areas ended with a live birth while abortion was only 2% in rural and 3% in urban India.
But the highest 14% abortions were seen in the youngest age-group of those below the age of 20 in urban areas.
The survey also found that pregnancy wastage was highest at 21% also in the youngest age group of less than 20 years. `Wastage of pregnancy' is defined as the `total number of pregnancies which did not result into livebirth during the reference period' per 1000 number of completed pregnancies during the same period.' Interesting ly, about 4.4% of the pregnancies were wasted in the rural areas, and it was little higher in urban areas (5.9%) despiteaccessibility of heath care services in cities.
A number of factors a greater readiness to report, a greater incidence, a better access to abortion services could all account for it, but further studies would be required to comment, the survey noted.
It was found that among women in the age group of 1549 years, about 9.6% in the rural areas and 6.8% in the urban areas were pregnant during the 365 days preceding the date of survey .
The survey also found that in rural India, 56% childbirths took place in public hospitals and 24% in private hospitals. In cities, around 42% children were born in public hospital and 48% in private hospitals. Reflecting lack of health care facilities in rural areas, the survey highlighted that about 20% non-institutional childbirths were reported in villages while it was at 11% in urban areas.
But the highest 14% abortions were seen in the youngest age-group of those below the age of 20 in urban areas.
The survey also found that pregnancy wastage was highest at 21% also in the youngest age group of less than 20 years. `Wastage of pregnancy' is defined as the `total number of pregnancies which did not result into livebirth during the reference period' per 1000 number of completed pregnancies during the same period.' Interesting ly, about 4.4% of the pregnancies were wasted in the rural areas, and it was little higher in urban areas (5.9%) despiteaccessibility of heath care services in cities.
A number of factors a greater readiness to report, a greater incidence, a better access to abortion services could all account for it, but further studies would be required to comment, the survey noted.
It was found that among women in the age group of 1549 years, about 9.6% in the rural areas and 6.8% in the urban areas were pregnant during the 365 days preceding the date of survey .
The survey also found that in rural India, 56% childbirths took place in public hospitals and 24% in private hospitals. In cities, around 42% children were born in public hospital and 48% in private hospitals. Reflecting lack of health care facilities in rural areas, the survey highlighted that about 20% non-institutional childbirths were reported in villages while it was at 11% in urban areas.
Source: Times of India, 13-04-2016
