Unsafe abortion in adolescents

Every year, an estimated 2.0-4.4 million adolescents resort to abortion. In comparison with adults, adolescents are more likely to delay the abortion, resort to unskilled persons to perform it, use dangerous methods and prese nt late when complications arise. Adolescents are also more likely to exper ience complications. Consequently, adolescents seeking abortion or presenti ng with complications of abortion should be considered as a medical emergen cy. Issues requiring special attention in the management of abortion compli cations in adolescents are identified. Approaches to adolescent abortion sh ould involve all levels of the health care system, as well as the community , and should include not only management of the consequences of unsafe abor tion, but also post-abortion contraception and counseling. Prevention of un wanted pregnancy by providing information on sexuality, ensuring that repro ductive health services are adolescent-friendly, creating a supportive envi ronment, building young people's social and decision-making skills, and off ering counseling in times of crisis arc highlighted. (C) 2001 WHO. Publishe d by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. on behalf of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.