Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Recession a factor in abortion - report

An increasing number of women are considering terminating pregnancies as a direct result of the recession.

The Dublin Well Woman Centre, which publishes its annual report this morning, found there was a large rise in the number of women attending its counselling services.

Financial concerns were cited as playing a large part in their decision.

The centre also found that the impact of reality television personality Jade Goody's death led to a huge rise in women in Ireland getting cervical smear tests last year.

It said Ms Goody's premature death from cervical cancer had a positive knock-on effect for women's health.

The centre is urging young girls to make sure they get the human papillomavirus vaccine in school this September.

The vaccination, to guard against cervical cancer, is due to be rolled out nationwide.

The centre operated a successful pilot scheme in north Dublin last year.

SIC: RTÉ