Termination of Pregnancy in Teenagers *

• Published in: The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
• Main Authors: Krishnamoni, D., Jain, S.C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 1983
• Subjects: Psychiatry and Mental health; Canada; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/070674378302800609; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/070674378302800609

This is a study of some epidemiological aspects of fifty-three unmarried girls, aged sixteen years and under, who were referred for therapeutic termination of pregnancy during the year 1976. Although the results showed that the overall abortion rate in Canada is much higher than in Newfoundland, the abortion rate in the 14–16 year age group is higher in the Province than in the rest of Canada. Secondly, the abortion rate for the fifteen year age group in this Province is higher than that for the sixteen year old girls, suggesting that more pregnancies in the older age group go to term. The rate of abortions among some religious denominations is significantly higher than in others. Urban living does not appear to produce an increase in abortion rates in these age groups. Interruption of schooling due to the occurrence of pregnancy is not a cause for concern in about half of this group. There is some evidence in support of the contention that precocious maturation is related to early pregnancy.