While falling pregnant and giving birth is a time of joy for many women, a new study has found the process can end in tragedy for many.
The report, issued by Save The Children UK found nearly 30,000 adolescent girls die as a result of pregnancy or childbirth worldwide. That equates to one death every 20 minutes worldwide for adolescents.
“Nearly 95% of those deaths occur in the world’s poorest countries and girls from poorer families and rural areas are most likely to be affected,” a Save The Children statement reads.
The organisaion recommends that access to contraceptives and other family planning methods is crucial to decrease the high mortality rate.
Another startling statistic: pregnancy complications are now the leading cause of death for girls aged 15-19 worldwide, The Guardian reports.
Pregnancy-related problems, such as bleeding, blood poisoning, obstructed labour and complications resulting from unsafe abortions are common causes of death.
According to WHO, it is estimated that three million unsafe abortions occur among girls aged 15-19 years every year.
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