Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter
SOME MEDICAL doctors are arguing that abortion should be a last resort for women and that persons should make better use of available contraceptive methods such as the low-dose contraceptive pills, condoms and emergency contraceptive pill, Postinor 2.
"The main objective is that you should never reach the stage where you need an abortion," argues Dr. Errol Daley, obstetrician and gynaecologist.
USE OF AVAILABLE METHODS
He says there is need for improved reproductive health education, more self discipline and increased use of available contraceptive methods.
This argument comes in the wake of previous Gleaner reports which showed that as many as 30 per cent of adolescents surveyed said that 'they did not have their pregnancy' and that many women in a 2002 national survey indicated that they have had at least one abortion.
In addition, a major study, the Caribbean Youth Survey conducted in 1997, showed that 10 per cent of adolescent girls 10-19 years old admitted to having had an abortion.
SALES UP
Data from the National HIV/STI prevention and control programme indicate that close to $10 million male condoms have been sold each year between 1995 and 2002. This is up from the sale of $2.5 million condoms in 1985. In addition, the female condom (Femidom) is available.
Other available contraceptive methods include the intra-uterine device (IUD), the monthly or tri-monthly injection and the emergency contraceptive pills which can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after sexual intercourse.
The emergency contraceptive pill was removed from the prescribed drug list and made an over-the-counter drug in May 2003. Some health campaigns also encourage persons, especially adolescents, to abstain from sex.
