Induced abortion worldwide: long-term decline has stalled
19 January 2012 - After a period of substantial decline, the global abortion rate has stalled, according to new research from WHO and the Guttmacher Institute. Between 1995 and 2003 the abortion rate per 1000 women of childbearing worldwide dropped from 35 to 29; the new study found that in 2008 the global abortion rate was 28 per 1000, almost unchanged since 2003. The researchers also found that nearly half of all abortions worldwide are unsafe procedures and almost all unsafe abortions occur in the developing world.
Global research network to support UN Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health
12-13 January 2012
HRP are convening a Technical Consultation of a Global Research Network to support the UN Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health.
The consultation brings together academic and research institutions and networks with programme managers from selected countries. Participants will initiate a coordinated scientific response and support to relevant aspects of the Global Strategy, especially relating to reproductive, maternal and newborn health.
The role of faith-based organizations in maternal and newborn health care in Africa
September 2011 - Faith-based organizations (FBOs) have historically played an important role in providing maternal and newborn health services in African countries. Efforts to document and analyse this contribution are necessary to increase the recognition of FBOs, and to establish stronger partnerships with them as an untapped route to achieving MDGs 4 and 5. This review shows that maternal and newborn health services provided by FBOs is similar to that offered by governments, but the quality of care received and the satisfaction were reported to be better.
Inducing labour increases risks for healthy pregnant women
1 September 2011
This extensive study compared the outcomes of elective induction versus spontaneous onset of labour in almost 40 000 deliveries in Latin American women with low-risk pregnancies. The study found that women whose labour was artificially induced without medical justification were three times as likely to require anaesthesia during labour and/or to be admitted to intensive care. An increased risk of caesarean section and other medical interventions was also found.
