Knowledge and attitude on Ethiopian abortion law and associated factor among undergraduate students of Bonga University, southwest Ethiopia, 2021

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.