Women's Health

• Abortion remains the leading means of birth control used by Russian women. In 1992, 206 abortions were performed for every 100 live births. Abortions cause up to 25% of maternal mortality cases.
• Maternal mortality averages 8 to 10 times higher in Russia than in European countries: Russia averages 64.7 maternal mortality cases per 100,000 live births. This rate varies widely according to region, with 6 regions averaging between 85 and 116 cases of maternal mortality per 100,000 live births in 1991-92.
• While overall infant mortality is decreasing in Russia, 9 regions experienced increases in infant mortality ranging from 10-90% in 1992.
• 75% of all Russian women experience a serious pathology during pregnancy.
• Between 1980 and 1992, Russia’s female mortality rate rose 40% for skin cancer and 41% for breast cancer. Increased exposure to carcinogenic substances may contribute to these rates.
• In the single year between 1992 and 1993, alcoholism among women increased by 48.1%. Among teenage girls, 80-94% use alcohol; 17% drink often.

Sources: Environmental and Health Atlas of Russia, Murray Feshbach, editor-in-chief. PAIMS Publishing House, Moscow, 1995. Available in the US from the Center for Post-Soviet Studies, Chevy Chase, MD.