Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions and Attitudes towards Abortion in the University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The premeditated termination of pregnancy is a complex and highly debated phenomenon with moral, social, cultural, ethical, and legal considerations. Strong anti-abortion laws have not translated into a reduction in the incidences of induce abortions, instead, they have increased the scale of unsafe abortions. Even so, empirical studies on the perceptions and attitudes towards abortion in regions where abortion is illegal remains scanty.

Objective: This study determined the perceptions and attitudes towards abortion among undergraduates in the University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey of 339 undergraduates selected using the multi- stage, simple random and convenience sampling techniques. Data was collected using a validated semi-structured questionnaire, and analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics. Descriptive statistics of the data was expressed as frequency and percentages. The association between selected socio-demographic variables of the undergraduates and their attitudes toward abortion was tested using Chi square statistical test at 0.05 significant level.

Results: Findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents, 265(78.20%) had positive perceptions of intentional abortion and positive attitude towards abortion 306(90.30%). The findings of this study also revealed that age, gender, and religious affiliation were not significantly associated with the undergraduates’ attitudes towards abortion.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate a significant shift in public attitude towards the support for the legalization of abortion, especially among young people.