Free Contraception Controls Rate of Abortions and Unintended Pregnancies: Study

By Staff Reporter - 04 Oct '14 05:28AM

Giving free birth control devices helps cut down rate of teenage pregnancies and abortions, according to a study.

Recently, researchers from the Washington State University School of Medicine conducted a survey of over 9,000 women aged between 15 and 45 about the birth control methods they used and also to assess the impact of providing free contraception. The experts particularly observed data from CHOICE project of 1,404 participants aged about 15 to 19 of whom three-fourth reportedly used contraception implants. During the study period of three years, the overall annual pregnancy rates in this set of population was 3.4 percent compared to 15.9 percent of youngsters of same age in the general population.

In addition, the findings also revealed the yearly rates of abortion was below one percent among teenaged girls who were give free birth control compared to four percent for teens outside the study, reports the CBS News.

The survey also noted majority of youngsters generally use less reliable birth control methods like pills and condoms when they become sexually active. These are more easily available and less expensive than insertion devices.

"When we removed barriers to contraception for teens such as lack of knowledge, limited access and cost in a group of teens, we were able to lower pregnancy, birth and abortion rates. This study demonstrates there is a lot more we can do to reduce the teen pregnancy rate."" said Gina Secura, study author and director of the CHOICE Project, in a news release.

"The difference in pregnancy, birth and abortion rates between teens enrolled in the Contraceptive CHOICE Project and U.S. teens is remarkable," said Jeffrey Peipert, lead investigator and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Robert J. Terry Institute.

"We were pleasantly surprised by the number of teens choosing IUDs and implants and continuing to use them. t's exciting that this study could provide insight into how to tackle this major health problem that greatly affects teens, their children and their communities," he adds.

More information is available online in the New England Journal of Medicine.