Unsafe abortion among secondary school girls in a local authority in South-South Nigeria

Matthias G. Abah; Emem E. Bassey; Emmanuel B. Edu; Okupa D. Ovie

doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20203826

Authors

Matthias G. Abah Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of health sciences, University of Uyo, Nigeria
Emem E. Bassey Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of health sciences, University of Uyo, Nigeria
Emmanuel B. Edu Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
Okupa D. Ovie Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20203826

Keywords:

Abortion, Adolescents, Determinants, Prevalence, Practice

Abstract

Background: Voluntary abortion for social reasons is illegal in Nigeria; however, the practice remains mostly clandestine and unsafe with varying consequences and determinants yet to be studied in all settings.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to assess the prevalence, practice and determinants of termination of pregnancy amongst 119 female Secondary School students in South-South Nigeria.

Results: The prevalence of abortion was 57.1%. Most of the students were above 18years (58.8%), Christian (95.8%) and of rural residence (66.4%). While 58.8% had experienced an unwanted pregnancy, 61.4% had used some form of contraceptive with condom being the commonest (39.5%). Most (89.1%) have heard of abortions while 67.6% and 16.2% have had abortions once and twice respectively with the top reasons for abortion being that they were still in school (33.8%), too young (25.9%) and to avoid shame or stigma associated with the pregnancy (11.7%). Dilation and curettage was the predominant method employed (40.2%) mainly by medical doctors (34.1% and pharmacists (35.6%) while 51 (75%) had post-abortal complaints such as pain (41.2%) and bleeding (21.6%). There was a significant association between having an abortion and place of residence (rural more than urban), (p=0.04), being pregnant more than once (p<0.001), mothers` level of education (p=0.03), fathers` level of education (p=0.02) and mothers occupation (p=0.04).

Conclusions: The prevalence of abortion is high and complicated by high morbidity rate despite a higher contraceptive prevalence rate whose major determinants were the socio-demographic characteristics of the parents. There is a need for early sex education from parents as this can influence abortion perception and practice in later years.

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