The research conducted by Guttmacher Institute and the University of Ibadan, finds that 1.25 million abortions were performed in the country in 2012, compared with the 61, 000 Abortions estimated to have occurred in Nigeria in 1996. Director, International Research, Guttmacher Institute, New York, Dr. Akinrinola Bankole disclosed this while briefing Newsmen yesterday in Abuja at an event organized by IPAS in collaboration with the Guttmacher Institute and University of Ibadan.
According to him, “The estimated abortion rate was 33 Abortion per 1, 000 women aged 15-49 in 2012. Although this rate is greater than the 1996 rate (23 per 1, 000) estimated in a previous study, the most prudent conclusion may be that the abortion rate has increased slightly, as the two rates were calculated using different approaches.”
Dr. Bankole stated that most of these abortions were clandestine and many were unsafe adding that unsafe abortion is a major contributor to Nigeria’ s maternal mortality rate, which remains among the highest in the world. He said, “clandestine procedures are often Carried out under unsanitary Conditions by providers who are not appropriately trained. The resulting complications ranges from unchecked bleeding to serious infections and even death.
Also speaking at the event, the Senior Policy Advisory for IPAS, Hauwa Shekarau, therefore, revealed that the present practice of abortion in Nigeria could be termed as illegal, saying that it would be only accepted only if the original intention is to safe the life of a woman. Shekarau said that 1996 was the last time a study was conducted in respect to unsaved abortion in Nigeria and stressed the needs to review the restrictions law of abortion.
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