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

Unintended or unplanned pregnancy poses a major health challenge to peopleof reproductive age. The objective of the study is to assess the knowledge andattitude of female undergraduate nursing students (FUNS) towards abortionin Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. Descriptive cross-sectionalstudy was adopted. Simple random sampling technique was used to select therespondents. A sample of 340 (FUNS) was used for this study. Results showedthat majority of the students (66.2%) discussed sexual reproductive matterswith family, 76.5% discussed with peers. 87.9% reported having had sexbefore 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 andherbs. 170 (50%) respondents had abortions conducted within theircommunity. (92%) had negative attitudes towards abortion whilst 8% hadpositive perception. Majority (92.6%) claimed that abortion was a sin and only5.6% would not abort if they got pregnant. It is recommended among othersthat public enlightenment programmes should be organised to createawareness about abortion.