Abstract:
Background: Out of 4.2 million pregnancies, an estimated 420,000 induced abortions occurred
in Ethiopia in 2016 and about half of all pregnancy abortions are unsafe. Despite the fact that the
new abortion law permits women to obtain safe abortions, unsafe abortion remains one of the
primary causes of pregnancy-related mortality. Studies show that the rate of abortion among
students was 65 per 1,000 women; only 16% were reported to be safe abortions. Despite the
global effort to improve post abortion care, rising contraceptive use and easing abortion
restrictions, unsafe abortion continues to be common in Africa.
Objectives: To assess knowledge and attitude towards Ethiopian abortion law and associated
factors among Bonga university female students, southern Ethiopia, 2022.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Bonga University Southwest
Ethiopia, from May16-30/2022. A total of 329 female undergraduate students were included in
the study. After proportional allocation to each stratum, a simple random sampling technique
was used to identify study participants. Self-administered structured questionnaire was used to
collect data. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25 for
analysis. Bivariate analysis was employed to identify candidate variables for the multivariable
logistic regression model. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the
association between dependent and independent variables using odds ratio at 95% CI and p-value
less than 0.05 for significant associations.
Result: Fewer than half, 39.5% of the respondents, had good knowledge about abortion
legalization in Ethiopia; 53.8% have a favorable attitude towards abortion legalization. Birth
order [only child; AOR 0.18; 95% CI (0.10,0.88) 0.28 (0.13,0.86)), having boyfriend [AOR 0.34;
95%CI (0.12, 0.74)], age [AOR 1.64; 95%CI (1.33,2.80)], being a member of health club (AOR
= 2.09, 95% CI: (1.256–3.484) were factors associated with knowledge on abortion law. Those
who know abortion is legal in Ethiopia (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.137– 2.976), Students who have
a history of abortion (AOR=2.531, 95% CI: (1.502-4.287)), knowing complication of abortion
(AOR=1.85, 95% CI: (1.082, 3.009)) were associated to attitude towards abortion legalization.
II
Conclusion: The study concluded that 39.5% of the respondents have good knowledge; and
53.8% of female youths have favorable attitude towards the legalization of abortion services.
Recommendation: Greater efforts need to be made to ensure that all female youth know that
they have a legal right to abortion in some circumstances in our country.
