Vietnam's abortion rate rises as 'baby boomers' come of age

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February 6, 1999
Web posted at: 6:05 p.m. EST (2305 GMT)

HANOI, Vietnam (CNN) -- Vietnam is undergoing a family planning crisis that has made its abortion rate one of the highest in the world. Forty percent of all pregnancies in Vietnam are terminated, according to the U.N. Population Fund, with about 1.4 million abortions performed in the country during the past year.

The high abortion rate is partly attributed to demographics. Sixty percent of Vietnam's current population is under 25 years of age.

The courtship of these "baby boomers" is combined with a shortage of contraceptives and a conservative climate that makes discussion of sexual matters difficult at best.

"There is a lack of access to a full range of modern contraception ... a lack of options for couples, for young people," said Eric Palstra of the U.N. Population Fund.

The capital of Hanoi recently opened the city's first sex education counseling clinic, a facility which is considered nothing short of revolutionary. The driving force behind the clinic is long-time family planning advocate Chi Thi Xuyen.

"Our traditions and culture make it hard to distribute advice like this," she said. "Young people aren't supposed to use contraceptives."

But the demand for contraceptives in Vietnam far outstrips the supply. The country's only condom factory operates around the clock -- and it will still come up 140 million condoms short this year.

Correspondent Mike Chinoy contributed to this report

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