The Incidence of Abortion in Ethiopia: Current Levels and Trends

Ann M. Moore, Guttmacher Institute
Yirgu Gebrehiwot, Addis Ababa University
Tamara Fetters, Ipas
Yohannes Dibaba Wado, Jimma University
Susheela D. Singh, Guttmacher Institute
Hailemichael Gebreselassie, Ipas
Mengistu H. Mariam, Government of Ethiopia

In 2005, the Ethiopian Parliament amended the penal code to allow abortion in cases of rape/incest, if the woman has physical or mental disabilities; it is needed to preserve the woman’s life or physical health; she is a minor who is physically or mentally unprepared for childbirth. Researchers estimated that 382,000 induced abortions were performed in 2008; 73% were performed outside of the designated heath facilities. There have been numerous national efforts to implement the law and increase access to safe abortion care. In 2014 we repeated the national assessment to see whether government programs have been effective at increasing access to safe abortion. This study documents the national incidence of induced abortion including the abortion rate and ratio, proportion of all abortions that is legal and safe, and rate of treatment of abortion complications in health facilities. These estimates will be compared with those documented in 2008.