Adolescent abortion accounts for 20 pct of total abortion in Vietnam

HANOI, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Adolescent abortion accounts for 20 percent of total abortion and one-third of Vietnamese youth have yet to get access to information on contraceptive methods.

The figure was released at a press briefing here on Wednesday by Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Viet Tien on the eve of World Population Day, which falls on July 11.

There are a number of concerns about adolescent reproductive health and pregnancy, including unsafe sex, unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion and sexually transmitted infections, reported website of the state-run radio Voice of Vietnam.

Arthur Erken, the United Nations Population Fund country representative, said adolescent pregnancy is an urgent issue that adolescent girls are facing. This is not only health problem but also a developmental issue. It is caused by poverty, gender inequality, violence, and early marriage.

The representative suggested that adolescent girls should be provided with more advice so that they can develop comprehensively and understand their rights. If they get married at a right time, they will enjoy good health and produce healthy babies.

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