Unwanted Pregnancy And Induced Abortion In Nigeria: Causes And Consequences

ABSTRACT

Each year in Nigeria; hundreds of thousands of women become pregnant without wanting to; and many women with unwanted pregnancies decide to end them by abortion. Because abortion is legal only to save a woman's life; most procedures are clandestine; and many are carried out in unsafe circumstances. Unsafe abortions can endanger women's reproductive health and lead to serious; often life-threatening complications. Furthermore; unsafe abortions impose a heavy burden on women and society by virtue of the serious health consequences that often ensue Treating thesehealth problems is costly and consumes scarce resources at both public (government) and private health institutions. Because abortion is largely illegal; information on the procedure is difficult to obtain. However; a general picture emerges from new research findings that shed light on the causes; level and consequences of abortion in Nigeria