Sexual Health

Abortions

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Activity in 2006

Abortion tables

Abortion charts

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Link to relevant notes and data definitions

Activity in 2006

In 2006 there were 13,081 therapeutic abortions performed compared to 12,603 in 2005. This is consistent with the pattern seen in recent years. In 2006, the rate for women aged 15-44 was 12.4 for every 1000 women compared to 11.2 for every 1000 women in 1999..
The rate of terminations for women aged 15 to 44 is highest in NHS Tayside at 15.7 per 1000 women. In NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow the rate for this group of women is 13.9 per 1000 women. The Island Boards (Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles) together with Argyll & Clyde have the lowest rates (6.1 per 1000 women for the Island Boards and 8.4 per thousand for Argyll and Clyde).
As seen in previous years, the rate of terminations, in 2006, was highest in women aged 16-19 (24.1 per 1000) and those aged 20-24 (23.6 per 1000). Lower rates are seen in women aged 25-29 (15.8 per 1000) and in women aged over 40 (2.1 per 1000).
In 2006, the rate of therapeutic abortions continues to show a clear link with the level of deprivation. In areas of high deprivation the rate is 16.6 per 1000 compared to 8.8 per 1000 for the least deprived areas of Scotland
The proportion of early terminations has been relatively stable in the last five years, with 67.3% of all terminations performed at less than 10 weeks in 2006. This compares to 55.8% of terminations performed at less than 10 weeks in 1992 The use of medical methods continues to increase, with 58.8% of all terminations performed medically in 2005 compared to 16.4% during 1992.
The use of medical methods continues to increase, with 59.1% of all terminations performed medically in 2006 compared to 16.4% in 1992 when medical terminations were introduced. 77.8% of terminations of less than 10 weeks gestation are carried out by medical methods and 22.2% are carried out surgically.In 2005, 12,095 the vast majority (96.0%) of terminations were undertaken under Ground C (hyperlink). There were 148 terminations carried out under Ground E (hyperlink) of which 30 were for Downs, 65 for other chromosomal conditions, 8 for anencephaly, 11 for spina bifida and the remaining 34 for other miscellaneous conditions.
In 2006, 12,481 the vast majority (95.4%) of terminations were undertaken under Ground C. There were 180 terminations carried out under Ground E of which 39 were for Downs syndrome, 75 for other chromosomal conditions, 16 for anencephaly, less than 10 for spina bifida and the remaining 41 for other conditions.
Of the 13,081 therapeutic abortions performed in Scotland during 2006, 99.3% were carried out in NHS premises