Knowledge about the Revised Abortion Legislation among Reproductive Age Women: The Case of Gondar Town

Authors

  • Zelalem Birhanu UoG
  • Tegbar Yigzaw UoG
  • Netsanet Worku UoG

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20372/ejhbs.v5i1.195

Abstract

Background-Experience from around the world shows that restrictive abortion laws lead women to have unsafe abortions, in turn contributing to over one-tenth of maternal deaths in developing countries. Even when safe, legal abortion services are available, women who lack accurate information about the relevant laws may seek unsafe abortions because they do not know they are eligible for the service or do not know the legal requirements for obtaining an abortion. Research in several countries has found that public knowledge about abortion law is often minimal. In Ethiopia, little is known regarding knowledge of the revised abortion law among women of reproductive age. 

Objective-This study was done with the objective of assessing the level of knowledge of reproductive age women on the legal grounds on which abortion is permitted in Ethiopia and its associated factors. 

Methods-A community based cross sectional study of reproductive age women was conducted in Gondar Town from April 15 to 25, 2010 using structured questionnaire. The systematic sampling technique was used to select the study participants.  

Result- A total of 806 reproductive age women participated in the study. Only 41% of the study participants know that abortion is legal under certain circumstances in Ethiopia. Women with secondary and higher education, those who are government employees, students, those with high income, members of a health club, those who have heard about emergency contraceptives and who knew someone with induced abortion increased the odds of knowing the abortion legislation (p<0.05, for each factor).  

Conclusion and Recommendations- The majority of the reproductive age women did not know the legal grounds for abortion in Ethiopia. Education and public awareness raising activities are needed to help the country benefit from the legal reform.

 

Author Biographies

Zelalem Birhanu, UoG

Department of Reproductive Health, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar

Tegbar Yigzaw, UoG

Jhpiego Ethiopia

Netsanet Worku, UoG

Department of Nutrition, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar

Downloads

Published

2021-07-14

How to Cite

1.
Birhanu Z, Yigzaw T, Worku N. Knowledge about the Revised Abortion Legislation among Reproductive Age Women: The Case of Gondar Town. Ethiop J Health Biomed Sci [Internet]. 2021 Jul. 14 [cited 2024 Dec. 14];5(1):21-7. Available from: https://journal.uog.edu.et/index.php/EJHBS/article/view/195

Issue

Section

Orginal Articles