Abortions up 13 p.c. on 1980

Press, 28 August 1982, Page 7

Abortions up 13 p.c. on 1980

PA Wellington Legal abortions in New Zealand increased 13 per cent last year compared with 1980, a figure which has been described by the Abortion Supervisory Committee as disappointing. In its annual report to Parliament, the committee said the 814 extra abortions, which took the total to 6759, showed the need to introduce “human relationships” programmes in all secondary schools. “No significant change in this trend appears to be possible without a change in society." it said. The’ committee called for

a widening of its functions in the light of the increase, saying at present that it was only responsible for administering those sections of the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act referring to abortion. “It is very difficult to devise a policy on abortion without having a more complete picture of the fertility behaviour of New Zealand women. This entails having better information about contraception and sterilisation.” Last year’s figure compared with '5945 in 1980 and 3652 in 1979. Clinics showing the greatest increase were Welling-

ton's Parkview (from 328 to 1111) and Auckland’s Epsom Day Hospital (1627 to 2051). In Wellington, however, two hospitals performing abortions showed a decrease. Most abortions occurred in the five main centres (6060). Abortions on unmarried women between the ages of 15 and 24 accounted for 56.2 per cent of the total. Eightyfour abortions were performed on women under 15, and 20 on women over 45. Unmarried women made up 59.9 per cent of those who had abortions, 25 per cent were married, 10.3 per cent separated, and 3.6 per cent divorced.

Danger to mental health was the major ground, for abortions (75 per cent), 'with a combination of physical and mental health danger the other main ground (22.7 per cent). Danger to physical health was considered a ground for 1.3 per cent. The report noted that no reliable statistics were kept on abortions in Sydney and so it was difficult to ascertain how many women were travelling there for abortions. However, it, agreed with the view of last year’s report that traffic across the Tasman for abortions had almost stopped. The committee comprises Mrs H. White (chairman). Dr S. C. Hawes, and Dr Denys Heginbotham. This year’s report was its fifth and covered the 12 months to March 31.