Abstract
BackgroundKnowledge of abortion law is a key determinant of the utilization of safe abortion services. Neglecting it can lead to high social and economic costs, both immediately and in the future. One of the major reasons for not utilizing the safe abortion by the youth female is inadequate knowledge about the abortion law. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess knowledge on abortion law and associated factors among female regular undergraduate students of Ambo University.MethodologyInstitutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 795 randomly selected undergraduate female students of Ambo University using structured and pre-tested questionnaire from March, 28-May, 18, 2018.The result of the analysis was presented by tables using descriptive frequency percentage and odd ratios. The result was presented using tables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was done between dependent and independent variables at 95% confident interval and P value < 0.05.ResultMajority (79%) of the study participants were not able to identify all the conditions under which abortion is legally available in Ethiopia. In this study receiving health education on abortion law (AOR = 7.382, 95% CI: (1.118–48.761), knowing where safe abortion can be performed (AOR = 3.116, 95% CI: (1.854–5.239)) and being member of health club in the university (AOR = 2.092, 95% CI:1.256–3.484) were the predictors of abortion law knowlwdge .ConclusionThe study concluded that knowledge of female student’s on abortion law is low in the study area. In this study, participates who received health education on abortion law and having involving in the health club at university were found to be the predictors of knowledge on abortion law .
Highlights
Knowledge of abortion law is a key determinant of the utilization of safe abortion services
The study concluded that knowledge of female student’s on abortion law is low in the study area
Participates who received health education on abortion law and having involving in the health club at university were found to be the predictors of knowledge on abortion law
Summary
Knowledge of abortion law is a key determinant of the utilization of safe abortion services. Some Sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia have formulated abortion laws that allow safe abortion [5]. This law states that abortion can be performed legally based on woman’s request in cases of rape or incest, if the woman has physical or mental disabilities, if there is serious fetal deformity and observed needed to preserve the woman’s life or health, or if the pregnant girl is physically or mentally unprepared for childbearing because of her age [6]. The Ethiopian case is not different from other countries and that is why this study was conducted to assess the knowledge of regular female student on the abortion law and factors affecting. The impact of abortion law on women’s health and survival is high and abortion related deaths are more frequent in countries with more restrictive abortion laws [12]
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