Perceptions and attitudes of a rural community to abortion in the Niger-delta region of Nigeria

Abstract

To determine the perceptions and beliefs relating to unwanted pregnancy, family planning and abortion, and identify issues that can be leveraged to initiate positive attitudes towards family planning and abortion in the area. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted in Amukpe, Delta State, Nigeria. A highly motivated and well-trained team versed in the local language and culture conducted the FGDs and IDIs. Therewas unanimity that unwanted pregnancies was quite common amongstwomen of reproductive age group and constitute a significant problemin the community.Abortion, particularly in the hands of quacks was amajor option to handling an unwanted pregnancy.Almost all agreed that their culture and religion abhors abortion, yetwidely practiced because of the odium associatedwith an unwanted pregnancy in the community. The knowledge of the Nigeria National abortion law even amongst the health workers and teachers was generally poor. The participants agreed that there were problems and complications (often severe) including death associatedwith abortion in the community. Itwas largely agreed that contraceptive knowledge and usage was poor. The reasons adduced for this include lack of knowledge, lack of spousal consent, socio-cultural taboos andmisconceptions, aswell as economic reasons. Itwas suggested that imbibing positive family values by parents in theirwards and government leveraging the socio-economic status of the communitywill go a long way to stemming the tide. Unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion and abortion complications are reported to be common
amongst women of reproductive age group inAmukpe community, whilst contraceptive awareness and usage is poor.

Keywords: Perception and attitudes, rural community,Abortion