Saskatchewan Abortion Rates Low

No one is pro-abortion – even the strongest advocates of the 'right to choose' recognize abortion is not an alternative to contraception.

To quote Hilary Clinton abortion should be “safe, legal and rare”.

That’s why the story out of Saskatchewan today is so interesting.

Saskatechewan’s abortion rate is far lower than the Canadian average. It seems this is because of social networks and education – and no matter where you stand on abortion, improving support for preganant women and making it more practical for them to raise their babies makes sense.

"It is lower, (but) I think we can still do better. The opportunity is here," said Dr. Femi Olatunbosun, head of obstetrics and gynecology for the Saskatoon Health Region and the University of Saskatchewan's college of medicine.

Saskatchewan doctors performed a total of 1,824 induced abortions in 2005, according to Statistics Canada. That translates into a rate of 8.8 induced abortions for every 1,000 females, far lower than the Canadian average of 13.7.

Olatunbosun emphasized that access to abortions "is in no way limited" and is not the reason for the lower numbers. Specialists and family physicians in Saskatoon, Regina and several other centres are available to perform induced or "therapeutic" abortions with no wait time, Olatunbosun said.

The work of the sexual health centres in Saskatoon and other cities, as well as school education programs, is helping to improve access to contraception and education. Saskatchewan was one of the earliest provinces to make emergency contraceptives, or the "morning after pill," widely available without a prescription.

Another factor is that teens in Saskatchewan, particularly in the aboriginal community, are choosing not to terminate their pregnancies and carry them to term. This may be due to the stronger social supports in smaller communities. Someone living in Toronto or Vancouver, for example, may not have access to family or friend networks.

Olatunbosun hopes that increased education, postponing sexual activity until later in life and access to contraception will result in even lower abortion rates in the future.

The full story is in the Leader-Post at

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=71f03edd-8366-40c9-9e20-42868695151a