ALRANZ Comments on Abortion Statistics

"It was only to be expected that last year's third- generation oral contraceptive safety scare would cause some women to reject oral contraception altogether, and resort to risky barrier methods alone.

“However, this may be a blip in the current abortion statistics. It does reveal the need for a co-ordinated reproductive and sexual health strategy, and there have been some promising developments, with Pharmac's release of the new levonogesterol emergency contraceptive, and the creation of a new category of emergency contraceptives within this context."

"ALRANZ has always believed that the best way to insure optimal choice has been through an integrated reproductive and sexual health policy. Better access to comprehensive sex education means dealyed first sexual experiences, greater use of reliable contraception, fewer unwanted pregnancies and fewer abortions. We hope that the government will investigate the relationship between these three elements of an integrated policy within the forthcoming abortion law review"

Contact: Dr Margaret Sparrow President, ALRANZ National 04 4759886

Craig Young Research Officer, ALRANZ National 06 3569099 ext 7750

© Scoop Media