PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS ON UNWANTED PREGNANCY AND ABORTION IN ABA TOWN OF ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the public perceptions on unwanted pregnancy and abortionin Aba town, Abia State, Nigeria. Two Hypotheses such as; there is a relationshipbetween level of sex education and the rate of unwanted pregnancy in Aba town,Abia state; and there is a relationship between abortion care services and healthproblems in Aba town, Abia State were formulated and tested to guide the study.A sample size of 395 was drawn from the three Local Government Areas(Osisoma, Aba North and Aba South) using probability (random) and nonprobability(purposive) sampling techniques. The study utilized both quantitativeand qualitative instruments in the collection of relevant data from the respondents.Data collected were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistical. Thehypotheses were tested using chi-square) (X2) statistics. The findings show thatthere is a relationship between the level of sex education and the rate of unwantedpregnancy and abortion; and also that there is a relationship between abortionservice and health problems. Based on these findings, it was recommended thatthere should be sex education in the families, churches and schools; familyplanning services and contraceptive materials should be made accessible andavailable; Government should provide homes and support for the poor victims ofunwanted pregnancy; Reliable and safe methods of abortion should be backed upby law and carried out by government specialized hospitals.