Illegal Induced Abortion in Nigeria: An Examination of its Consequences and Policy Implications for Social Welfare and Health Policy Makers

Abstract

In this case study-based research, using the conceptual underpinnings of the subject-matter of public policy as our analytical point of departure, we examined the issue of illegal induced abortion in Nigeria. In the process, we highlighted its consequences and implications for the policy makers in the areas of responsive policy outputs as they concerned the issue of induced abortion. Along the same analytical plane, we examined the concept of illegal induced abortion perse relying on empirical evidences across the globe vis-à-vis its problems to society and, lack of inadequate utilization or payment of attention to them by the government. With these background analyses, and, using purposive sampling technique which falls within the matrix of Non-probability sampling design, we sourced out data through the technique of content analysis, from the archival records of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in Ile-Ife. From the data, the incidence of illegal induced abortion to the total gynaecological admission was established as the prevalence of the medico-sociocultural and political phenomenon – (i.e. illegal induced abortion) – in question among our younger women under the age of 20 years. The resultant discussion of the data showed that induced abortion has caused a lot of reproductive health problems among the Nigerian women. This discussion equally revealed the paucity of our policy makers by ways of concrete policy or policies on illegal induced abortion in Nigeria and, that this was largely due to the heterogeneity of the Nigerian environment on one side and, lack of understanding by government of the real issues involved coupled with the government’s inadequate utilisation or payment of attention by ways of policy initiation, formulation and implementation to the available empirical evidence on the consequence of illegal induced abortion on the other hand. Consequent on this, we recommended some concrete measures needed to reduce the rising tide of this socio-political and medical malaise with the provision that the effective adoption of the offered solutions by the social welfare and health policy makers and other stakeholders in Nigeria.