Abortion rate declines in north-east

Figures: But national increase found

Abortion rates in Aberdeen have declined at the secondhighest rate in Scotland over the last decade.

Official figures show the number of abortions in Scotland overall are at the highest level for five years, but the longer-term trend is downward and the northeast is leading the way.

In Aberdeen, there were 101 fewer abortions in 2017 compared to 2012, and the combined total for Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highlands and islands fell from 1,899 abortions in 2012 to 1,685 in 2017, a drop of 214.

A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said the reduction was due to better sexual health education and efforts to promote long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), which include implants, injections and intrauterine devices, commonly known as the coil.

Across Scotland, a total of 12,212 pregnancies were terminated in 2017, up 106 on the previous year, giving a rate of 11.8 per 1,000 women aged 15-44.

Following the legal change on October 27 last year enabling women to take medication to end pregnancies in their own home, 58 women in Scotland did so.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children Scotland is challenging the legislation change at the Court of Session.

Statistics show termination rates in the most deprived areas remain almost double those in the most affluent neighbourhoods, at 16.2 per 1,000 women aged 15-44, compared to 8.2.

Across Scotland, the target for 70% of abortions to be done before the ninth week of pregnancy was exceeded, at 72.1%. But in remote rural areas the number fell to 66.5% from 69.9% in 2016, with the report stating women in these areas “remain at a disadvantage”.

CHOICE: A People Before Profit protest calling for provision of abortion in Northern Ireland, at Belfast City Hall