Knowledge and Attitude towards Criminal Abortion among Female Undergraduate Nursing Students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State

Abstract

Unintended or unplanned pregnancy poses a major health challenge to people
of reproductive age. The objective of the study is to assess the knowledge and
attitude of female undergraduate nursing students (FUNS) towards abortion
in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. Descriptive cross-sectional
study was adopted. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the
respondents. A sample of 340 (FUNS) was used for this study. Results showed
that majority of the students (66.2%) discussed sexual reproductive matters
with family, 76.5% discussed with peers. 87.9% reported having had sex
before and out of these only 78.3% had used family planning. Condom (51.7%)
was the most FP method used. The majority of the respondents (86.2%)
claimed that abortion was illegal in Nigeria, only 13.8% said it was legal.
36.1% had been pregnant before and 41.9% of the pregnancies were aborted,
methods used to abort was unsafe with 44.4% with the use of concoctions and
herbs. 170 (50%) respondents had abortions conducted within their
community. (92%) had negative attitudes towards abortion whilst 8% had
positive perception. Majority (92.6%) claimed that abortion was a sin and only
5.6% would not abort if they got pregnant. It is recommended among others
that public enlightenment programmes should be organised to create
awareness about abortion.