THIRTEEN MILLION abortions are carried out in China each year, in part because there is little education about contraception or disease for the growing numbers of young people who are having sex.
The English-language China Daily newspaper said the real number of abortions was believed to be even higher since the 13 million only took into account procedures in hospitals, while many more are carried out in unregistered clinics.
Abortions cost about 600 yuan (€62.50) and there are about 20 million births in China each year.
Li Ying, a professor at Peking University, said a lack of knowledge about sex was a major reason for the large number of abortions.
A survey by the People’s Liberation Army Hospital 411 in Shanghai found that fewer than 30 per cent of callers know how to avoid pregnancy and only 17 per cent are aware of venereal diseases. More than 70 per cent do not know sexual transmission is the major contributor to the spread of HIV/Aids.
“Sex education needs to be strengthened, with universities and our society giving more guidance,” said Prof Li.
China imposed strict birth controls under the one child policy in the 1970s. Sterilisation and contraception are promoted for married women, but little is done to address the needs of unmarried women.
Gynaecologist Yu Dongyan said many taboos about sex had gone.
“Sex is no longer considered taboo among young people,” Dr Yu added. “They believe they can learn everything they need from the internet, but it doesn’t mean they have developed a proper understanding or attitude toward it.”