A 10-year study in Spain measuring the rates of both contraception use and abortions recently drew to a close. The results showed that as contraceptive rates rose by 60%, the abortion rate doubled.
STUDY DESIGN: Since 1997, representative samples of Spanish women of childbearing potential (15-49 years) have been surveyed by the Daphne Team every 2 years to gather data of contraceptive methods used.
RESULTS: During the study period, 1997 to 2007, the overall use of contraceptive methods increased from 49.1% to 79.9%. The most commonly used method was the condom (an increase from 21% to 38.8%), followed by the pill (an increase from 14.2% to 20.3%). Female sterilization and IUDs decreased slightly and were used by less than 5% of women in 2007. The elective abortion rate increased from 5.52 to 11.49 per 1000 women.
CONCLUSIONS: The factors responsible for the increased rate of elective abortion need further investigation. These results directly contradict the claims made by the Anti-Life establishment, who allege that promoting contraception will reduce unwanted pregnancies, and hence the number of abortions performed.