Experiences and Attitudes of Young Men towards Abortion in a Semi-Urban Community in Rivers State; Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Background: Most of the studies on abortion focused on the roles and responsibility of women; with very little attention given to the role played by men. Aim: To assess the experiences and attitudes of young men towards abortion in Mgbede Egbema; a semi-urban community in Rivers State; south-south Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed; using a structured questionnaire and focus group discussion as study methods. The questionnaire was administered to all the registered male members of the community's youth association; while the focus group discussion was held with members of the youth association's vigilante committee; to gain more insight into the responses contained in the answered questionnaires. Results: A total of 181 questionnaires were administered and retrieved. The average age of the respondents was 23.1 years; and they were mostly single (77.9); with secondary school education (65.8); and combined Christianity with traditional religion (71.3). Almost all (93.4) had a girl friend; but the responsibility of preventing unwanted pregnancy rested almost entirely on the girl (75.7); and in the event of an unwanted pregnancy; 85.1of the respondents would recourse to abortion. Most of the respondents (74.6) would advice their sister to procure an abortion in the event of an out-of-wedlock pregnancy; but only 20.0of them would like to be actively involved in the process of procuring the abortion. All the respondents knew that abortion was illegal in Nigeria; but 47.5thought that the offence did not include the woman; while 29.8thought the offence was committed by the abortion provider alone. Most (64.6) of the respondents felt abortion should not be freely available; but 90.6of them would want the offenders to be prosecuted only in the event of serious complications; or death. Conclusion: There is a broad support for abortion among the respondents; but fears still exists that liberalization might lead to increase demand for the procedure. A review of the nation's abortion law is therefore recommended