Prevalence of Induced Abortion and Contraceptive Use among University Students in a Tertiary Institution in Nigeria

Abstract

Abortion can be defined as the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus. The main point made by the majority of the definitions of abortion upholds the fact that pregnancy is not wanted. Throughout the world, female students are exposed to the risk of unplanned pregnancies as a result of ineffective or non-use of contraceptives. This may result in failure to complete their education, inability to maintain gainful employment, and inability to make independent marital decisions. Young students’ sexual activities are a communal, municipal, and public health concern. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of induced abortion and contraceptive use amongst female undergraduate students of the University of Abuja. Methodology: The study was conducted at the University of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative survey was used to assess the prevalence of induced abortion and contraceptive use amongst unmarried female undergraduate students, using a multistage sampling method. The sample size was calculated to be 289. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23, p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant at a 95% confidence level. Results: A total of 325 questionnaires were shared and 318 were filled and adequately answered, giving a response rate of 97.8%. The mean age in this study was 21.8 ± 3.01 standard deviation. There was a prevalence of contraceptive use amongst the respondents in which more than half (165; 51.9%) of the respondents have practiced contraception at one point or the other in their reproductive years while 163 (48.1%) of the respondents said they did not practice any form of contraception. 90 (28.3%) of the respondents have had induced abortion at one point or the other while the remaining 228 (71.7%) have not. The majority (87; 52.7%) of the respondents who practice contraception have also had an induced abortion at one point or the other while about 78 (47.3%) of those who practice contraceptive use had no history of induced abortion. Conclusion: Remarkably, and in contrast to conventional understanding, these results showed that less contraception does not appear to be associated with a higher incidence of abortion. Similarly, more contraception does not appear to be protective against incurring a pregnancy. Recommendation: There should be frequent awareness campaigns and health education on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of contraception by the Students Union Government, school media and publicity team, and non-governmental and charitable organizations targeted on effective contraceptive practice as a means of preventing unintended pregnancies.