The connection between abortion and depression remains a highly contentious topic in the medical field. One recent study published in BMC Psychiatry claims that the global rate of post-abortion depression stands at 34.5%, affecting more than one in three women. This systematic review and meta-analysis, reportedly the first of its kind focusing globally on post-abortion depression, was conducted by Ethiopian researchers.
The researchers had to approach their study with regional, rather than country-specific insights due to the limited availability of literature from certain areas. North America, South America, and Antarctica were excluded from the study for this reason. The areas covered in the research, including Asia, Africa, and Europe, account for approximately 87% of the global population and most of the world’s abortions.
The study findings indicate that depression is significantly more common post-abortion in lower and middle-income countries (42.91%) compared to high-income countries (24.9%). It also found variations across regions, with the Eastern Mediterranean region having the highest prevalence rate of post-abortion depression, followed by Asia, Africa, and Australia. Europe had the lowest rate.
Interestingly, these findings raise questions regarding the staunch denial by American pro-abortion groups that abortions could lead to mental health problems. Perhaps this has to do with distinguishing between “wanted” and “unwanted” abortions.