Knowledge, attitude and practice among women actively seeking abortion services at a public health facility in Kingston Metropolitan area, January to March 1996

ABSTRACT

The knowledge, attitudes and practices of 95 women actively seeking aortion services at a public health facility in the Kingston Metropolitan Area were studied over a six week period. In the study 38 percent of the respondents were under and 62 percent were above age twenty years. Although their educational level was fairly high, their unemployment rate was equally high. Respondents displayed a mixture of positive and negative attitude towards pregnancy and abortion. The level of contraceptive use both by respondents and partners was very low, immediately prior to the pregnancy. Respondents sought abortions for economic reasons mainly. Sixty two (65 percent) respondents wanted abortion to be made available on demand. There is need for a definite policy to be formulated towards legislation of abortion. Public education also needs to be strengthened in family planning and family life education with special emphasis on adolescents. (AU)