Record abortion figures in January

January 2007 proved to be the busiest ever month for abortion services at the UK's leading reproductive health provider, Marie Stopes International (MSI).

The global partnership revealed that nearly 6,000 clients sought its abortion services during January, an increase of 13 per cent on January 2006 and a possible indication of irresponsible partying during the festive period.

Director of UK operations Liz Davies said that it was too soon to say whether the MSI's own figures were reflected across the country.

"It does seem, however, that we may be seeing the consequences of the festive season, when partying excess and alcohol consumption combine to increase libido and lower inhibition, with the inevitable consequences of unprotected sex resulting in unplanned pregnancies," she noted.

Ms Davies lamented that one agency working with limited resources would never be able to significantly impact on abortion figures and said that the government needed to fund an annual national education campaign to alert people to the importance of preventing unwanted pregnancies and promoting sexual health.

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