Menstrual Regulation and Abortion in Bangladesh

Menstrual regulation (MR) has been part of the Bangladesh family planning program since 1979. However, clandestine abortion remains a serious health problem in Bangladesh, and anecdotal reports indicate that clandestine use of misoprostol has increased since the most recent estimates (for 2010). Because of this, it is important to assess changes in the use of MR services and the incidence of clandestine abortion since 2010. Bangladesh is unique in including menstrual regulation (MR) services as part of the government family planning program, despite having a highly restrictive abortion law. The only national estimates of MR and abortion incidence are from a 1995 study, and updated information is needed to inform policies and programs regarding the provision of MR and related reproductive health services. surveys of nationally surveys of nationally surveys of nationally surveys of nationally surveys of nationally

Around the year, they are in 2010, an estimated 647,000 induced abortions were performed in Bangladesh, and 231,400 women were treated for complications of such abortions. Furthermore, an estimated 653,000 MR procedures were performed at facilities nationwide. However, an estimated 26% of all women seeking an MR at facilities were turned away, and about one in 10 of those who had an MR were treated for complications. Nationally, the annual abortion rate was 18.2 per 1,000 women aged 15—44, and the MR rate was 18.3 per 1,000 women.

The incidence of induced abortion is the same as that of MR, which suggests considerable unsatisfied demand for the latter service. Furthermore, the high rates of complications from MRs highlight the need to improve the quality of clinical services. Increased access to contraceptives and MR services would help reduce rates of unplanned pregnancy and unsafe abortion.

Reference:

Singh, S., Hossain, A., Maddow-Zimet, I., Vlassoff, M., Bhuiyan, H. U., & Ingerick, M. (2017). The incidence of menstrual regulation procedures and abortion in Bangladesh, 2014. International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1363/43e2417