By DPA
Singapore : Teenage abortions are on the rise in Singapore prompting heightened concern over young people's cavalier views on sex, health ministry data said Thursday.
Teens accounted for 1,391 abortions last year, with 19 performed on girls under 15, the ministry said.
Of the 1,279 abortions by teenagers in 2005, 16 were performed on girls under 15.
Professor Kuldip Singh, a senior obstetrician and gynaecologist, cited more liberal attitudes of teenagers toward sex.
An earlier poll of youngsters between 16 and 23 found 13 percent of them were sexually active.
The survey conducted by pharmaceutical company Bayer Schering, Pharma Singapore and Youth.sg, an online portal, revealed 23 percent did not use any form of contraception.
Those going without protection blamed "the heat of the moment", or said condoms reduced sensation.