Pill scare blamed for terminations

Health scares over the contraceptive pill may be behind a predicted 6.5 per cent increase in abortions this year, the Abortion Supervisory Committee says.

In its 2000 report, tabled in Parliament yesterday, the committee calculates that 16,500 abortions will have been performed by year's end, compared with 15,501 last year.

"Anecdotal evidence from overseas suggests that these increases are a worldwide trend," the committee says. "It has also been suggested that the pill scare was a major factor in that increase."

University of Auckland researchers who reviewed 400 cases of women seeking an abortion in mid-1999 had found that "panic-induced" stopping of oral contraceptives was a factor in 9.5 per cent of the pregnancies, the report said.

A New Zealand study released in June had found that women on oral contraceptives were nearly 10 times more likely to develop blood clots than other women. The committee recommended in its report that the Government comprehensively review the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977 - a review Justice Minister Phil Goff has promised but for which there is no timetable.

The report said the act was outdated in its language and content, its procedures were too complex and not being followed, and it was demeaning to women because it required a medical procedure to be considered under the Crimes Act.

As well, safe abortions were not being consistently applied nationwide, and 98.2 per cent had to be granted under mental health provisions.

It suggested decriminalising abortion, making it an integral part of women's health services funded under the health system and making the decision to have an abortion one for the woman and her medical practitioner.

The committee also suggested simplifying procedures for getting an abortion so it could be performed as early as possible.

Women should be told counselling was available, but it should be provided only if requested. Many women could not get to see a certifying consultant without first undergoing counselling, the report said.

"Indeed, in areas of the country where there is no abortion service, the only way women can get referred to a hospital or clinic is through the local counsellors.

"The committee believes that many women, having made up their mind that they wish to have an abortion, find this requirement to be objectionable and obtrusive. Their views on this matter should be respected."

The report showed that last year women aged 20 to 24 had 34.8 per cent of the 15,501 abortions performed. The next highest age group was 25 to 29, which accounted for 24.5 per cent.

Girls aged 12 to 14 accounted for 56 of the abortions.

Europeans had 8682 abortions, Maori 2634 and Pacific Islanders 1789.

Of the women who had an abortion, 7141 were childless and 51 had seven or more offspring.

- NZPA