DOCSLIB.ORG

Unsafe Abortion and Development: a Strategic Approach

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Unsafe Abortion and Development: a Strategic Approach Unsafe Abortion and Development: A Strategic Approach Isaac F. Adewole, Nnenna C. Orji and B.A. Oye-Adeniran* 1 Introduction: unsafe abortion as a and young people are likely to become – a situation development issue that is exacerbated by women’s subordinate status in Unsafe abortion is one of the most pressing issues many societies. Additionally, within each national affecting humanity today (Abouzahr 1994; Gomperts context, unsafe abortion is more prevalent among 2002). Worldwide, it kills about 80,000 women people of lower social and economic status – for every year, and this figure only represents the tip of example, people living in poverty, or adolescents the iceberg, since an estimated 25 times that who are either in or out of school (Okonofua 2004; number of women suffer various ill-health effects as Grimes et al. 2006). Thus, a strong link exists not only a result of unsafe procedures (Ciment 1999; Ahman between unsafe abortion and individual lack of access and Shah 2002). In Nigeria, where abortion is legal to resources, but also as part of a wider lack of only to save the life of a woman, restrictive functional democracy and good governance, with legislation and pervasive stigma conspire to drive significant implications for those working to expand abortion underground. The vast majority of the women’s access to safe services. estimated 760,000 abortions that occur every year in Nigeria are clandestine (Bankole et al. 2006), and Despite the clear links between unsafe abortion, the majority of these fatalities go unreported. There poverty and social inequity, the issue of abortion is is no doubt that the primary casualties of unsafe still largely discussed and addressed as an issue of procedures are poor women (Braam and Hessini women’s reproductive health and rights alone 2004), and based on this reality, we can safely (Gasman et al. 2006; Fredrick 2007; Ortiz Ortega conclude that lack of access to safe abortion (not to 1993; Sangala 2005). A parallel can be drawn here mention effective methods of pregnancy prevention) between the issue of unsafe abortion and the issue represents a clear-cut case of socioeconomic of HIV/AIDS, which was initially treated merely as a inequity, as well as a reliable index of public health problem. But whereas it took only a underdevelopment (Brookman-Amissah 2004). decade to begin to acknowledge HIV/AIDS as a development issue and to initiate a multi-disciplinary At the global level, access to safe abortion services and multi-sectoral response at global, national and seems to correlate to the existence of functional, local levels in most countries of the world, the issue democratic and representative governments and of unsafe abortion – a grave problem probably as old societies where there is rule of law and an enabling as humanity itself – has yet to attract the same kind environment for citizens to assert their fundamental of high-powered global response (De Bruyn 1999). human rights (Oye-Adeniran et al. 2004a). In other words, the more politically liberal a country is in Since the link between abortion and development terms of citizenship rights and equitable distribution has only been weakly established, advocacy for of resources, the more likely women are to have expanded access to safe abortion services is rarely access to safe abortion services. Tunisia, Cuba and integrated into the strategy, rhetoric and messages post-apartheid South Africa are all examples of this of organisations focused on women’s rights, poverty, phenomenon (Sidley 1996; Rasch et al. 2004, 2005). democracy, human rights, health, education and By contrast, the more human rights are generally good governance in many developing countries, violated in a society, the more vulnerable women including Nigeria. This situation calls for a deeper IDS Bulletin Volume 39 Number 3 July 2008 © Institute of Development Studies 47 investment in consciousness-raising and sensitisation Women’s status is generally low, and this has an about the development dimensions of unsafe impact on their ability to make decisions on issues abortion, in order to shift the paradigm away from that affect them both directly and indirectly (Colwell thinking about abortion merely as a matter of and Gray 2007). In some parts of the country, girl women’s reproductive health and rights and toward children are often withdrawn arbitrarily from schools acknowledging it as a crucial issue for development and given away in marriage at a tender age, resulting policymakers and practitioners worldwide. This in high incidences of abortion, vesico-vaginal fistula article analyses the Campaign Against Unwanted (VVF) and maternal morbidity and mortality (Wall Pregnancy’s (CAUP) efforts to provide a more broad- 2006; Wall et al. 2008). based response to unsafe abortion in Nigeria, and discusses the challenges associated with addressing 3 Obstacles to reducing unsafe abortion and unsafe abortion as a development issue. unwanted pregnancy in Nigeria In Nigeria, as in many countries, restrictive abortion 2 The Nigerian context laws present a formidable barrier for women who With a population of over 140 million (NPC 2006), wish to access safe and humane services to Nigeria represents a complex mix of sociocultural terminate their unplanned and unwanted diversity in language, religion, traditions and beliefs. pregnancies, as well as those who experience There are three levels of government: federal, state complications following abortions improperly and local. The National and State Assemblies are performed by poorly trained providers and quacks. In responsible for reviewing and passing legislation on many African countries, the law only permits matters of national or state interest, including health. termination of pregnancy when women’s lives are Each state has legislative rights, power and control threatened (Moodley and Akinsooto 2003), with very over its health systems, including how they should be strict penalties for infringement of the law (Morhee organised and developed. Poverty is widespread in and Morhee 2006). In countries such as Nigeria, the Nigeria and afflicts increasing numbers of people law penalises the offender as well as the offended every year. The poverty rate doubled from 27 per (Nigeria Court 1988; Okagbue 1990). While some cent in 1980 to 56 per cent in 1996, and tripled to Nigerian advocates argue that the law should simply 70 per cent in 1999 (NPC 2006; Oladepo 2008). be ignored, others have chosen to focus on reforming it. Those in the reformist camp argue that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi- even an unenforceable law remains viable for as long lingual society, and as a result, building consensus on as it is in the statute books, and could be invoked or issues of national interest is often a struggle. Culture, applied at any time. Since the strict law also hinders traditional beliefs and practices and religion have a efforts to develop health providers’ capacity to profound impact on many people’s attitudes, handle post-abortion cases, legal reform would behaviours and practices, including which norms they clearly be a progressive step. accept, and how they form their opinions and make their decisions. These factors also play an important Legislative reform, however, can be a tortuous role in the demand for and access to health services, process. The path is full of challenges and obstacles, and are often cited as reasons for contraceptive non- and addressing them requires substantial strategy and use, non-utilisation of conventional health services, tact. The protocol to the African Charter on Human non-acceptance/use of condoms, rigid insistence on and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in the promotion of abstinence, and entrenched Africa, adopted by the 2nd Ordinary Session of the resistance to exposing young people to reproductive Assembly of the African Union in Maputo on 11 July health information and services (Atighetchi 1994; 2003 (Assembly of the African Union 2003), paved Johnson-Hanks 2006). the way for a proactive government approach to reforming restrictive abortion laws. Article 14(c) Religion plays a particularly prominent role in decision- enjoins the state to protect the reproductive rights making on issues relating to fertility regulation, of women by authorising medical abortion in cases number of wives, and family size (Johnson-Hanks of sexual assault, rape, and incest, as well as in cases 2006). Male dominance and an entrenched patriarchal when continuing the pregnancy would endanger the system are potent forces, to the extent that men’s mental and physical health of the woman, the life of decisions become the law (Inhorn 2003). the woman or the life of the fetus. Although Nigeria 48 Adewole et al. Unsafe Abortion and Development: A Strategic Approach was one of the first ten countries to ratify the 4 Finding common ground: the CAUP’s strategy convention, this action has not yet translated into an Founded in 1991, the CAUP is a group of doctors, improvement of women’s health and rights through nurses, jurists, women’s rights activists, journalists, the adoption of initiatives that facilitate access to researchers and other concerned citizens dedicated safe abortion. This is because the actual process of to ending unsafe abortion Nigeria. From the legal reform, and all of the discussion and debate it beginning, the CAUP’s advocacy strategy has been entails, can be daunting for decision-makers and multi-dimensional, combining efforts to shape policy advocates alike. and public opinion
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Expanding Access to Postabortion Care in Zimbabwe Through the Integration Of
    September 2013 Expanding Access to Postabortion Care in Zimbabwe through the Integration of Misoprostol FINAL REPORT Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care Through the combined efforts of the government, organizations, communities and individuals, the Government of Zimbabwe aims to provide the highest possible level of health and quality of life for all its citizens, and to support their full participation in the socio-economic development of the country. This vision requires that every Zimbabwean have access to comprehensive and effective health services. The mission of the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (ZMoHCC) is to provide, administer, coordinate, promote and advocate for the provision of quality health services and care to Zimbabweans while maximizing the use of available resources. Venture Strategies Innovations (VSI) VSI is a US-based nonprofit organization committed to improving women and girls' health in developing countries by creating access to effective and affordable technologies on a large scale. VSI connects women with life-saving medicines and services by engaging governments and partners to achieve regulatory approval of quality products and integrating them into national policies and practices. Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care The Permanent Secretary Kaguvi Building, 4th Floor Central Avenue (Between 4th and 5th Street) Harare, Zimbabwe Telephone: +263-4-798537-60 Website: http://www.mohcw.gov.zw Venture Strategies Innovations 19200 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 400 Irvine, California 92612 USA Telephone: +1 949-622-5515 Website: www.vsinnovations.org ii Acknowledgements Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care: Dr. Bernard Madzima, Director, Maternal and Child Health Ms. Margaret Nyandoro, Deputy Director, Director of Reproductive Health Principal Investigators : Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Unsafe Abortion in Nigeria in Certain Circumstances Nurses Could Participate
    LETTERS TO THE EDITOR J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care: first published as 10.1783/147118907781005038 on 1 July 2007. Downloaded from Nurses and abortion there were plenty of expressions available which Vincent Argent, FRCOG, LLB Vincent Argent and Lin Pavey have concluded, in would have had that effect. Surgical termination Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist an analysis of the House of Lords case Royal using modern methods was not amongst the (Lead in Sexual Health), Addenbrooke’s College of Nursing v DHSS [1981] 1 AC 800 procedures envisaged, and it was certainly not Cambridge University Teaching Hospital, (“the RCN case”), that without any change in the foreseen or foreseeable that it might be Cambridge, UK. E-mail: [email protected] law, nurses can legally perform surgical induced suggested that nurses might be significant abortion.1 Their article contains some dangerous operators in such procedures. Lin Pavey, RGN legal misconceptions. The dissenting views cannot merely be Member of RCN Nurses Working in Termination The RCN case concerned the participation of discounted. They emphasised, very powerfully, of Pregnancy Network nurses in prostaglandin-induced abortions. The the need for great caution in the construction of House of Lords decided by a majority (3:2) that the statute, and in particular the need for judges to Unsafe abortion in Nigeria in certain circumstances nurses could participate. be careful not to usurp the function of Parliament Each minute of every day, nearly 40 women The RCN case decided that for the procedure and engage in judicial legislation. The danger of undergo dangerous, unsafe abortions.1 These that the court was considering: such judicial legislation is particularly acute since unsafe abortions are often performed by unskilled (a) Medical abortion is a process.
    [Show full text]
  • Woman-Centered, Comprehensive Abortion Care Reference Manual
    Second Edition Woman-Centered, Comprehensive Abortion Care Reference Manual Disclaimer: The regularly updated Clinical Updates in Reproductive Health (www.ipas.org/clinicalupdates) provides Ipas’s most up-to-date clinical guidance, which supersedes any guidance that may differ in Ipas curricula or other materials. ISBN: 1-882220-87-0 © 2005, 2013 Ipas. Produced in the United States of America. Ipas. (2013). Woman-centered, comprehensive abortion care: Reference manual (second ed.) K. L. Turner & A. Huber (Eds.), Chapel Hill, NC: Ipas. Ipas is a nonprofit organization that works around the world to increase women’s ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights, especially the right to safe abortion. We seek to eliminate unsafe abortion and the resulting deaths and injuries and to expand women’s access to comprehensive abortion care, including contraception and related reproductive health information and care. We strive to foster a legal, policy and social environment supportive of women’s rights to make their own sexual and reproductive health decisions freely and safely. Ipas is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions to Ipas are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Cover photo credits: © Richard Lord Illustrations: Stephen C. Edgerton The illustrations and photographs used in this publication are for illustrative purposes only. No similarity to any actual person, living or dead, is intended. For more information or to donate to Ipas: Ipas P.O. Box 9990 Chapel Hill, NC 27515 USA 1-919-967-7052 [email protected] www.ipas.org Printed on recycled paper. Ipas Woman-Centered, Comprehensive Abortion Care: Reference Manual Acknowledgments - Second edition This second edition of Ipas’s Woman-Centered, Comprehensive Abortion Care: Reference Manual was revised by the following Ipas staff and consultants: Katherine L.
    [Show full text]
  • Noetic Propaedeutic Pedagogy As a Panacea to the Problem of Abortion Peter B
    Online Journal of Health Ethics Volume 12 | Issue 1 Article 4 Noetic Propaedeutic Pedagogy as a Panacea to the Problem of Abortion Peter B. Bisong [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://aquila.usm.edu/ojhe Part of the Ethics and Political Philosophy Commons Recommended Citation Bisong, P. B. (2016). Noetic Propaedeutic Pedagogy as a Panacea to the Problem of Abortion. Online Journal of Health Ethics, 12(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.18785/ojhe.1201.04 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by The Aquila Digital Community. It has been accepted for inclusion in Online Journal of Health Ethics by an authorized administrator of The Aquila Digital Community. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Noetic Propaedeutic Pedagogy as a Panacea to the Problem of Abortion Introduction Abortion has over the years posed ethical, medical, political and legal problems in the world and in Nigeria in particular. These problems (such as, danger to health, psychological trauma, unnecessary economic cost, population depletion etc) have been and have continued to be fuelled by the pro-abortionists supportive arguments. The pro-abortionists argue that abortion is good because it brings financial benefits to medical practitioners; it preserves the life of the mother when in danger; it controls population and enables the couple to live a more comfortable and meaningful life amongst other reasons. Unfortunately these arguments seem to have taken root in the heart of Nigerians, for only this will explain why Nigerians still perform abortion en masse in spite of the current illegality status of it.
    [Show full text]
  • Pattern of Complicated Unsafe Abortions in Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Okolobiri, Nigeria: a 4 Year Review
    Pattern of Complicated Unsafe Abortions in Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Okolobiri, Nigeria: A 4 Year Review. Type of Article: Original Isa Ayuba Ibrahim, Israel Jeremiah, Isaac J Abasi, Abednego O Addah Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Nigeria. INTRODUCTION ABSTRACT Unsafe abortion is a persistent, but preventable pandemic with grave implications on the life of women and their reproductive Background: Abortions performed by persons lacking career1,2. It is defined by the World Health Organization the requisite skills or in environments lacking minimal (W.H.O) as a procedure for terminating an unwanted medical standards or both are considered unsafe. It is pregnancy, either by a person lacking the necessary skill or in an estimated that over 20 million unsafe abortions are environment lacking the minimum standard or both2. It is one performed annually and about 70,000 women die of the five leading causes of maternal mortality world wide. globally as a result, with majority occurring in the Out of the over half a million maternal deaths that occur each developing world. This study aims to determine the year globally2,3, it is estimated that one quarter to one third may pattern of complicated unsafe abortions in Niger delta be a consequence of complications arising from unsafe University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) Okolobiri. abortion.1,4,5 Methods: The study is a four-year retrospective analysis It is estimated that about 210 million pregnancies occur each of cases of complicated unsafe abortion managed at the year, nearly half of these pregnancies are unplanned and a 2,3,6 Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Okolobiri, greater definitely unwanted .
    [Show full text]
  • Fact Sheet Abortion in Nigeria
    Fact Sheet October 2015 Abortion in Nigeria • In Nigeria, abortion is legal only DESPITE LEGAL RESTRICTIONS, REGIONAL VARIATION when performed to save a woman’s life. ABORTION IS COMMON IN ABORTION RATES Still, abortions are common, and most are • In spite of Nigeria’s highly restrictive • Within Nigeria, rates of abortion vary: unsafe because they are done clandes- abortion law, an estimated 1.25 million In 2012, there were 27 abortions per tinely, by unskilled providers or both. induced abortions occurred in 2012. 1,000 women aged 15–49 in the South The number doubled from an estimated West and North Central zones; 31 per • Unsafe abortion is a major contributor 610,000 in 1996 because of both popula- 1,000 in the North West and South to the country’s high levels of maternal tion growth and an increase in the rate East zones; and 41 and 44 per 1,000 death, ill health and disability. Nigeria in the North East and South South of abortion. has one of the highest maternal mortality zones, respectively. ratios in the world, and little improve- • The estimated abortion rate was 33 • The proportion of pregnancies ending in ment has occurred in recent years. abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–49 induced abortion was lowest in the South in 2012. Although this rate is greater • Contraceptive use remains low in West (11%), and highest in the North Nigeria. In 2013, only 16% of all women than the 1996 rate (23 per 1,000) East (16%) and South South (17%). of reproductive age (15–49) were using estimated in a previous study, the most any contraceptive method, and only 11% prudent conclusion may be that the • The higher rates of abortion in the were using a modern method—levels that abortion rate has increased only slightly, North East and South South zones can be remain virtually unchanged since 2008.
    [Show full text]
  • Reported Experiences Using Misoprostol Obtained from Drug Sellers: a Prospective Cohort Study in Lagos State, Nigeria
    Open access Original research BMJ Open: first published as 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034670 on 5 May 2020. Downloaded from Women’s self- reported experiences using misoprostol obtained from drug sellers: a prospective cohort study in Lagos State, Nigeria Melissa Stillman ,1 Onikepe Owolabi ,1 Adesegun O Fatusi ,1,2 Akanni I Akinyemi ,3,4 Amanda L Berry ,1 Temitope P Erinfolami ,4,5 Olalekan S Olagunju ,4,5 Heini Väisänen ,6 Akinrinola Bankole 1 To cite: Stillman M, Owolabi O, ABSTRACT Strengths and limitations of this study Fatusi AO, et al. Women’s self- Objectives This study aimed to assess the safety and reported experiences using effectiveness of self- managed misoprostol abortions ► Data from this study are the first prospectively col- misoprostol obtained from obtained outside of the formal health system in Lagos drug sellers: a prospective lected data that capture people’s experiences with, State, Nigeria. cohort study in Lagos and the self- reported effectiveness of, self- managed Design This was a prospective cohort study among State, Nigeria. BMJ Open misoprostol abortion in a legally restrictive setting in women using misoprostol- containing medications 2020;10:e034670. doi:10.1136/ sub- Saharan Africa. bmjopen-2019-034670 purchased from drug sellers. Three telephone- ► This study used novel recruitment and retention administered surveys were conducted over 1 month. approaches: drug sellers were the source of re- ► Prepublication history and Setting Data were collected in 2018 in six local additional material for this cruitment, which leveraged existing client–provid- government areas in Lagos State. paper are available online. To er relationships; unregistered mobile phones were Participants Drug sellers attempted to recruit all women view these files, please visit distributed to participants to mitigate fears around who purchased misoprostol- containing medication.
    [Show full text]
  • Preventing Unsafe Abortion and Its Consequences Priorities for Research and Action
    Priorities for Action Research and Abortion Preventing and Unsafe its Consequences nsafe abortion is a significant yet preventable cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. The Ugravity and global incidence of unsafe abortion Preventing call for a better understanding of the factors behind the persistence of unsafe abortion and of the barriers to preventing unsafe abortion and managing its conse- Unsafe Abortion quences. This volume brings together the proceedings from an inter-disciplinary consultation to assess the and its global and regional status of unsafe abortion and to identify a research and action agenda to reduce unsafe abortion and its burden on women, their families, and Consequences public health systems. The volume addresses a compre- hensive range of issues related to research on prevent- ing unsafe abortion, outlines regional priorities, and Priorities for identifies critical topics for future research and action on preventing unsafe abortion. Research and Action Iqbal H. Iqbal Shah H. Warriner Ina K. Editors Ina K. Warriner Iqbal H. Shah cover 4.indd 1 31/01/2006 13:34:26 Preventing Unsafe Abortion and its Consequences Priorities for Research and Action Editors Ina K. Warriner Iqbal H. Shah A-Intro.indd 1 09/02/2006 10:44:45 Suggested citation: Warriner IK and Shah IH, eds., Preventing Unsafe Abortion and its Consequences: Priorities for Research and Action, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2006. 1. Abortion, Induced - adverse effects 2. Abortion, Induced - epidemiology 3. Women’s health services 4. Health priorities
    [Show full text]
  • Predictors of Pregnancy Termination Among Young Women in Ghana: Empirical Evidence from the 2014 Demographic and Health Survey Data
    healthcare Article Predictors of Pregnancy Termination among Young Women in Ghana: Empirical Evidence from the 2014 Demographic and Health Survey Data Bright Opoku Ahinkorah 1 , Abdul-Aziz Seidu 2,3 , John Elvis Hagan Jr. 4,5,* , Anita Gracious Archer 6, Eugene Budu 2, Faustina Adoboi 7 and Thomas Schack 5 1 School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney 2007, Australia; [email protected] 2 Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast 0494, Ghana; [email protected] (A.-A.S.); [email protected] (E.B.) 3 College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia 4 Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast 0494, Ghana 5 Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Postfach 1001 31, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany; [email protected] 6 School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Sokode-Lokoe PMB 31, Ho 342-0041, Ghana; [email protected] 7 Cape Coast Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Cape Coast 729, Ghana; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Citation: Ahinkorah, B.O.; Seidu, Abstract: Pregnancy termination remains a delicate and contentious reproductive health issue A.-A.; Hagan, J.E., Jr.; Archer, A.G.; because of a variety of political, economic, religious, and social reasons. The present study examined Budu, E.; Adoboi, F.; Schack, T. the associations between demographic and socio-economic factors and pregnancy termination among Predictors of Pregnancy Termination young Ghanaian women.
    [Show full text]
  • Crisis in Care: Year Two Impact of Trump's Global Gag Rule
    CRISIS IN CARE YEAR TWO IMPACT OF TRUMP’S GLOBAL GAG RULE The International Women’s Health Coalition Acknowledgements: advances the sexual and reproductive health and This project is a collaborative undertaking. IWHC rights of women and young people, particularly is especially grateful to the staff of our grantee adolescent girls, in Africa, Asia, Eastern partners, including Jedidah (Jade) Maina, Diana Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Moreka, and Mercy Akinyi of TICAH; Mahesh IWHC furthers this agenda by supporting and Puri, Kusum Wagle, and Yasaswi Dhungel of strengthening leaders and organizations working CREHPA; Olabukanola (Buky) Williams and at the community, national, regional, and global Fadekemi (Kemi) Akinfaderin-Agarau of EVA; levels, and by advocating for international and and Catriona Macleod of CSSR, who guided US policies, programs, and funding. and implemented the project. We deeply IWHC.org appreciate the work done by the research consultants Tabither Gitau, Anthony Nkwocha, Dumisa Sofika, and Ulandi du Plessis to conduct Author: interviews and interpret the data. We are also Vanessa Rios, Program Officer for Learning, thankful for the insights and candor of our key Monitoring, and Evaluation informants, who generously gave their time to be interviewed. This report could not have been completed without the contributions of many individuals at IWHC, particularly Nina Besser Doorley, Shannon Kowalski, Françoise Girard, Liza Kane-Hartnett, Marissa Crawford, Katherine Olivera, Erin Williams, Michelle Chasteen, Yael Gottlieb, and Naomi Gaspard. © 2019 International Women’s Health Coalition. All rights reserved. This report may be partially reproduced without written permission provided the source is cited and a link to the publication is provided, where appropriate.
    [Show full text]
  • PMA2020 ABORTION SURVEY RESULTS: NIGERIA April–May 2018
    PMA2020 ABORTION SURVEY RESULTS: NIGERIA April–May 2018 KEY FINDINGS • In 2017, the annual incidence of abortions in Nigeria was 29.0 per 1,000 women age 15 to 49 based on respondent reporting—more than 1.2 million abortions. When including information related to the experience of respondents' closest confidantes, the number of abortions in Nigeria rose to nearly 2.0 million.1 • More than 6 out of 10 abortions were considered most unsafe2, and 11% of women sought care at a health facility following perceived complications. • Women living in rural areas, younger women, women with no education, and women who are poor were the most likely to have the most unsafe abortions. An estimated 3 to 5% of reproductive • In Nigeria, most public tertiary facilities provided postabortion care (92%) and safe abortion services to age women had an abortion in the 12 save a woman's life (83%); lower level public facilities and months prior to this study, indicating private facilities were much less likely to do so. that 1.2 to 2.0 million abortions occur annually in Nigeria. Abortion in Nigeria Although Nigeria ratified the Maputo Protocol,3 an agreement among African Union countries that protects women’s and girls’ reproductive rights, abortion is only legal to save a woman’s life. Prior to this study, recent estimates that relied primarily on facility- based abortion complications data indicated there were approximately 33 abortions per 1,000 women age 15 to 49 in Nigeria in 2012— approximately 1.25 million abortions annually.4 The majority of these abortions would be considered unsafe.
    [Show full text]
  • Women's Experiences in Obtaining and Using Medical Abortion Pills
    Title: Women’s experiences in obtaining and using medical abortion pills from drug sellers in Lagos, Nigeria Background Although abortion laws remain restrictive in many low and middle income countries (LMICs), clandestine access to medical abortion (MA) pills, particularly misoprostol, by women has grown considerably in the past 10 years. The emergence of MA has transformed the circumstances under which women obtain abortions. When used correctly, MA has very low risk of complications compared with other more invasive abortion methods, and can be self-administered which allows women greater autonomy and privacy during the process. However, in many restrictive contexts, MA is obtained clandestinely from drug sellers with minimal knowledge about the appropriate medication doses, who do not provide adequate or accurate information to women on how to use the medication, manage side effects or identify potential complications. Studies attempting to evaluate health outcomes among women taking MA purchased from drug sellers are faced with challenges recruiting and following up women from the provider source. 1 Those attempting to recruit women who present for post abortion care (PAC) in health facilities also suffer from selection bias as their samples exclude women who did not need or seek care after the pregnancy termination. For this reason, there is little empirical data from women in restrictive contexts on their experiences obtaining and using MA clandestinely, and little is known about the outcomes of their abortion attempts. Nigeria, with the largest population in Africa – estimated to be 198 million in 2017 2 – is one such lower middle-income country where abortion is legal only to save the life of a woman, or in cases of severe foetal anomaly.3 Although the law is restrictive, a nationally representative study on the incidence of abortion in Nigeria in 2012 estimated that 14% of all pregnancies and over 56% of all unintended pregnancies end in abortion.
    [Show full text]