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Sexual health: unplanned pregnancy and abortions

One of the most widely used indicators of unplanned pregnancy is the number of abortions. However, this is an indicator of unwanted rather than unplanned pregnancy. There are many pregnancies which, although unplanned, are continued to the birth of a baby. In most cases the baby is accepted and cared for, although rarely he or she is put up for adoption. It is, therefore, not possible to ascertain the true level of unplanned pregnancy.

Abortions (terminations of pregnancy)

The following summary points are drawn from the wide range of abortions data available in Excel tables and charts and in reports on the ISD Scotland website. It should be noted that statistical information on the number of abortions is derived from notifications to the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland of therapeutic terminations of pregnancy under the Abortion Act 1967. Further notes and definitions relating to the abortions data are available on the ISD Scotland website.

  • In 2006 there were 13,081 therapeutic abortions performed in Scotland, compared to 12,603 in 2005. There has been a steady / slight upward trend in both the number and rate of abortions performed in Scotland over recent years. 
  • The rate of terminations is generally higher in the younger age groups (women aged 16-19 and 20-24) at over 20 per 1,000 women. The rate then falls steadily with age to around 2 per 1,000 women aged 40 and over.
  • Abortion rates are higher in areas of high deprivation than in areas of low deprivation.
  • The rate of terminations for women aged 15 to 44 is highest for residents of Tayside NHS Board (15.7 per 1,000 women in 2006), followed by Greater Glasgow and Lothian (both 13.9 per 1,000 women). The Island boards (Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles) (6.1 per 1,000 women) and Argyll and Clyde (8.4 per 1,000 women) have the lowest rates.
  • The rate of terminations for women aged 15 to 44 is highest for residents of Dundee City Council (18.9 per 1,000 women in 2006), followed by Aberdeen City Council (17.0 per 1,000 women). The Island councils (Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles) (6.1 per 1,000 women) and Argyll and Bute Council (6.6 per 1,000 women) have the lowest rates.
  • The proportion of early terminations has been relatively stable over recent years, with around two-thirds of all terminations performed at less than 10 weeks.
  • The use of medical (as opposed to surgical) methods of termination continues to increase, with around 60% of all terminations now performed medically. This compares with 16.4% in 1992.
  • Around 95% of all terminations are undertaken under statutory grounds category C (not after the 24th week of pregnancy, and where risk to the health of the pregnant woman). Around 1% of terminations are carried out under statutory grounds category E (risk of serious handicap in the baby), which may be for Down's syndrome, other chromosomal conditions, anencephaly, spina bifida and other miscellaneous conditions.
  • The vast majority (around 99%) of therapeutic abortions performed in Scotland are carried out in NHS premises.