2025/10/03 by Iornyagh, Terkaa Benedict, Agwaza, Tavershima Abraham
#Abortion #Attitude #Internally Displaced Persons #Knowledge #Practice
paper · doi:10.82265/9rym-1e96
It is estimated that about 73 million abortions are carried out yearly worldwide. Regrettable, 45%, which is more than half of the global estimates are performed unsafely and what is more, 97% of these unsafe abortions take place in developing countries. This study sought to examine knowledge, attitude, and practice of abortion among internally displaced women (IDW) in Benue state, Nigeria. The study examined the liberal, conservative and the natural law theory of abortion. A cross sectional study with a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 560 displaced adults, and a total of 15 displaced elderly men and women as well as health workers were selected as key informants for the study. Findings of the study revealed that majority, 72.86% women had some knowledge of abortion. There was a general disapproval of abortion practice by IDPs women with a magnitude of 77.50% of the total population and the study however discovered that there was high practice of abortion among displaced women particularly the young girls in Benue State. The study concluded if proper education is not taken to IDPs; behaviour change is not modified and encouraged; contraceptive use is not introduced, abortion will one day hold sway among IDPs. Therefore, the researcher recommended adequate sensitisation about the implications of unsafe abortion. There should be more orientation to dissuade the use of abortion and rather encourage contraceptive use to reduce unintended pregnancies and their attendant need for induced abortion.