New data names Croydon as the borough with the highest rate of repeat abortions

Fiona abortion

Pic: Jason Coleman

Croydon has the highest rate of repeat abortions in Britain, according to a report published this week by Croydon Council.

The report, based on figures from the Department of Health, reveals that 50.5% of terminations in Croydon are repeat abortions. The figure for London stands at 41.3% and nationally it is 33.9%.

The overall number of abortions is also high by national standards. Croydon’s abortion rate in 2010 was 27.9 per 1,000 women aged between 15-44 years. For London the figure is 25.7 and for England and Wales it is 17.6.

The repeat abortion rate is higher than the national average in all Croydon wards, with the exception of Selsdon and Sanderstead.

The three wards with the highest repeat abortion rates are Thornton Heath, Selhurst and Broad Green, which are all situated in the north of the borough.

Women in the borough aged between 20-24 years had the highest number of repeat abortions. Over 60% of abortions in 30 to 39-year-olds were undertaken in women who have had at least one previous abortion in 2010.

The figures also show the decrease in the total number of abortions over the past four years in England and Wales, with the overall rates in women aged 15-44 falling to 17.6 per 1,000.

The total number of abortions in Croydon in 2010 was 1,901 according to the figures from the Department of Health. Mary Stopes puts this figure at 2,226. This discrepancy arises because only legal abortions are included by the Department of Health.

The report also provides feedback from women who received abortion services and called for a higher standard of sex education.

The Croydon Sexual Health Strategy 2011-16 includes a sub-chapter on repeat abortion in the borough.

 

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