Induced Abortion in Nigeria: Echoes of Undergraduates in a Tertiary Institution in South-East Nigeria

Background: Unsafe abortion constitutes a huge burden to women’s health and reproductive lives especially in nations where it is illegal. It accounts for many pregnancy-related fatalities and debilitating complications. The knowledge, attitude and perceptions of youths within the reproductive age bracket to abortion are believed to predict most of these outcomes.

Aim: The study aims to determine the knowledge on abortion, the attitude towards it and the practice among students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, South-Eastern Nigeria.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Selected departments in all campuses of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State of Nigeria between April and June, 2014.

Methods: Multi-staged sampling technique was applied in selecting 251 students from different departments at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University who were interviewed using pretested self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using STATA statistical software version 13 and the level of significance was determined at a p-value of less than 0.05.

Results: Two hundred and fifty one students participated in the study, representing a response rate of 97.2%. A quarter was below 20years while 85.6% were single. All (100%) have heard of abortion of which 65.3% correctly defined it. A large proportion (98.8%) was aware of the complications of abortion with 43.2% naming more than two. Whilst only 75% knew that abortion is illegal in Nigeria, 13.2% admitted they can advise or seek abortion. Among the 33% (83) who had been pregnant before, 37.4% terminated the pregnancy, representing 12.4% of the entire population. Three-quarter disapproved of the legalisation of abortion of which 77.7% did not approve of it in any circumstance. Age was significantly associated with the knowledge of the complications of abortion as those aged below 20 were more aware than those above 30 (62 vs 7; p=0.034).

Conclusion: The knowledge of the complications of abortion is high but the practice of safe sex is low. Sexual reproductive health interventions are needed on campus to reduce the practice of risky sexual behaviours in settings where abortion is illegal.