Knowledge and Perception on Consequences of Abortion among Adolescents in Amassoma Community; Bayelsa State

RESUMEN

Unsafe abortion has been described as a schoolgirl's problem in Nigeria; where 80 of patients admitted to hospitals with abortion-related complications are adolescent girls. Hence; this research study was conducted to assess knowledge and perception on consequences of abortion among adolescents in Amassoma Community; Bayelsa State; Nigeria. A simple size of 120 respondents was drawn from the target population using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaire and the information obtained was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and level of significant was set at 5. The study revealed that majority of the respondents 61 were between the ages of 17-21 years with a minimum age of 12years and maximum age of 25 years; with a mean age of 18 and standard deviation of 2.28. The study revealed that majority of the respondents 89 had adequate knowledge of the consequences of abortion and believed that abortion is a sin and is done by immoral girls; yet more than half 60 of the respondents will encourage a person to do abortion and will even consider abortion in case of unwanted pregnancy. Majority of the respondent opined that abortion can be done in case of rape; mental illness and when the mother's life is in danger but 40 of the respondents said they will never go for an abortion under any circumstances. The study also revealed that there was a significant association between the age of respondents and the level of knowledge; as well as significant association between the level of knowledge and perception on the consequences of abortion with p 0.05. It is recommended that Public enlightenment programmes on unsafe abortion and its consequences should be given to adolescents for value clarification and proper attitude transformations