Knowledge, Perception and Factors Associated with Self Induced Abortion among Female Medical Students of Kampala International University

Abstract

The knowledge and perception of abortion has highly influenced the choice to undergo selfinduced abortion. The identified outcomes of which have continued to increase maternal morbidity and mortality. This is to say self-induced abortions which are mostly done by unsafe methods apart from claiming lives, often result in serious health problems. The main purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge on factors and perception of females’ medical student on self-induced abortion. This was a cross-sectional study. About 185 females’ medical students participated and filled self-administered questionnaire following their consent to participate in the study. Data collected were entered into excel spread sheet and analysed with the help of excel. Results were presented on tables. Out of 185 participants, 165(89.2%) said unsafe abortion is abortion done by inflicting trauma, 185(100%) agreed that comprehensive abortion should be done by medical practitioner, 185(100%) said abortion can lead to death, infertility and psychological trauma. 66(35.7%) responded that abortion is safe at any age while 119(64.3%) said no, it is not safe at any age. 54(29.2%) said abortion can be done anywhere as long as drug is available while 131(70.8%) responded no, 172(92.9%) said abortion is right of every female in Uganda while 13(7.0%) disagreed. Also, 185 (100%) said pregnancy caused by raped as one of the factors triggering self-induced abortion, stigma 178(96.2%), fear of forced marriage 168(90.8%), fear of responsibility and denial by father 150(81.1%) and desire to finished school 110(59.5%). Response of participants on perception of female students on self-induced abortion. 139(75.1%) said abortion should be permitted, 151(81.6%) believe contraceptives used can reduced abortion incidence, 157(84.9%) blamed inadequate sex education for self-induced abortion. 131(70.8%) believed free access to abortion care can reduced mortality or morbidity related to abortion complications.149(80.5%) said marriage can reduce self-induced abortion, 70(37.8%) said friends should be advised to go for abortion to avoid unplanned pregnancy while 36(19.5%) said abortion is for family planning and 149(80.5%) disagreed that it is not a form of planning a family. This study concludes that the females’ folks have knowledge on self-induced abortion however, their perception shows abortion should be the right of every female and not only on medical basis. Keywords: Knowledge, Perception, Self-Induced Abortion, Female Medical Students.