Abstract
Background, To analyse trends in childbirth, induced abortions and maternal morbidity from 1970 to 1994 in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Belarussia and the Ukraine.
Methods. Official health statistics from the six countries were compiled and analysed.
Results. High abortion rates (up to 142 per 1000 women of fertile ages and years) were seen in all countries analysed, but since 1980 a continuing decrease is noted for Estonia, Latvia and Kaliningrad with a lowest rate of 50 abortions/1000 women/year in Latvia in 1994. Teenage abortions and childbirths are increasing. Maternal mortality, including complications of abortions, is still a reality in all the countries studied.
Conclusion. The high abortion frequencies in all countries studied here indicate that national abortion prevention programs are needed. Such programs should focus on education, both of medical professionals, teenagers, fertile women and males. Concomitantly, the availability of cheap and modern contraceptives must increase, especially to defined risk groups.