Barriers to Implementing and Consolidating a Family Planning Program that would meet Brazilian Needs - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Editorial

Barriers to Implementing and Consolidating a Family Planning Program that would meet Brazilian Needs

Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2017;39(8):373-375

DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1604423

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Around 50–55% of all births in Brazil are unplanned, and these figures include both unwanted and mistimed pregnancies. The overall rate of induced abortion is estimated at 1.5%, with all induced abortions resulting from unplanned pregnancies culminating in an adjusted abortion rate of 2.7%. In many cases, unplanned pregnancies terminate in induced abortions and, since abortion in Brazil is restricted and only allowed under certain circumstances, many of these procedures are unsafe. Indeed, unsafe abortions are estimated to account for 13% of all maternal deaths.

The cost of unplanned pregnancies weighs not only on the healthcare system but also on society, and involves the cost of abortion care and of unplanned childbirth. When the pregnancy is unplanned, the likelihood of preterm births and low birthweight infants increases, and this scenario implies high costs associated with neonatal care and long-term disabilities. The total fertility rate in Brazil has fallen significantly in recent decades, and today stands at 1.8 births per woman. Over the same period, the use of contraceptives has increased.

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