Sexual Health

Abortions

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Activity in 2008

Abortion tables

Abortion charts

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Link to relevant notes and data definitions

Activity in 2008

In 2008 there were 13,817 abortions performed compared to 13,738 in 2007. This is consistent with the pattern seen in recent years. In 2008, the rate for women aged 15-44 was 13.1 for every 1000 women compared to 11.1 for every 1000 women in 2000.
The rate of terminations is highest in NHS Tayside at 15.7 per 1000 women aged 15-44. In NHS Lothian the rate is 14.4 and in NHS Grampian the rate is 14.3 The Island Boards (Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles) have the lowest rate at 5.7..
As in previous years, the rate of terminations in 2008 was highest in women aged 16-19 (24.5 per 1000) and those aged 20-24 (24.9 per 1000). Lower rates are seen in women aged 25-29 (17.1 per 1000) and in women aged over 40 (2.2 per 1000).
In 2008, the rate of abortions continues to show a clear link with the level of deprivation. In areas of high deprivation the rate is 18.1 per 1000, double the rate of 9.0 per 1000 for the least deprived areas of Scotland. The differences in rates in deprivation vary across NHS boards, but can be as much as three fold between (most and least deprived) areas, as in NHS Grampian (34.6 and 10.2), NHS Fife (28.1 and 8.7) and NHS Tayside (25.0 and 8.5) per 1000 women aged 15-44.
The proportion of early terminations has been rising steadily in recent years, with 56.8% of all terminations performed at less than 9 weeks in 2008.
The use of medical methods continues to increase with 64.6% of terminations at all gestations performed medically in 2008, a rise from 6.4% in 1992. Of terminations at less than 9 weeks gestation, 78.4% are now carried out medically.
Just over a quarter (27.3%) of the 13,817 women having a termination in 2008 have had a previous termination. This varies across boards from 17.9% in the NHS Borders to 32.0% in NHS Tayside.
In 2008, the vast majority (13,276; 96.0%) of terminations were undertaken under Ground C. There were 152 terminations carried out under Ground E of which 28 were for Down syndrome, 86 for other chromosomal conditions, 13 for anencephaly with the remaining 25 being for spina bifida and other conditions.
Of the 13,817 abortions performed in Scotland during 2008, 99.6% were carried out in NHS premises.