CUTTACK: Abortion or medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) among adolescents, particularly in the fairly young age group of 13 to 15, has registered a sharp rise over the recent years.The most disturbing fact is almost half of the young adolescents are made pregnant by relatives or family acquaintances.An epidemiological study conducted by the Department of Community Medicine of the SCB Medical here in select private nursing homes in the City has revealed that as high as 42 per cent of the girls seeking MTPs are in the early adolescent age or less than 15. And, 46 pc of adolescents were made pregnant by relatives or close people.The screening on ‘Unmarried adolescent MTP acceptors’ was purposefully conducted in three private nursing homes taking into consideration the fact that more number of girls with unwanted pregnancy sought refuge in private setups to conceal identity, said lead investigator and HoD of Community Medicine Prof. Bijayanee Mohapatra.The results have been an eye-opener. The bulk of the adolescents going into pregnancy were either illiterates or in their secondary education stage. As high as 29 pc were illiterate, 17 pc had education up to primary level and then dropped out, 33 pc studied up to secondary level or were continuing and 21 pc had entered colleges.A high of 42 pc belonged to low socio-economic strata and 33 pc to middle class while affluent section accounted for 25 pc. Urban areas like towns and cities accounted for more MTP acceptors at 67 pc. The reason could be more awareness or easy access to medical help.On the flip side, more number of rural populace could be resorting to unsafe abortions at the hands of quacks or practitioners of alternative medicine like local ‘vaidyas’. About 50 pc of the MTP acceptors from rural areas were before the age of 15 in comparison to 12.5 pc among their urban counterparts.Adolescent sexuality remains a taboo in society and there is widespread ignorance among the young people on the risks associated with unprotected sexual activity. “Majority of the adolescents at 58 pc going in for MTP had absolutely no knowledge of contraception. Thus it is highly essential to provide reproductive health education right from the adolescent phase in both rural and urban areas,’’ said Prof. Mohapatra.The study by Prof. Mohapatra, Associate Prof Krishna Kar, Assistant Prof Manasee Panda and Assistant Surgeon P Gupta has been published in the latest issue of Journal of Community Medicine of the Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine, Orissa Chapter.
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