Unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion among female undergraduates in University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of unwanted pregnancies and induced abortion among female undergraduates. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among female undergraduates in University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The survey used a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20 with Chi-square and t-tests. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Findings: The mean age of the participants was 20.3 (±2.7) years and 80% were single at the time of the study. The prevalence of induced abortion was 51%. The overall prevalence of unwanted pregnancy was 17%, and 92.7% of students who had ever been pregnant had considered the pregnancy unwanted. Only 7.3% reported willingness to be pregnant while engaged and 58.3% were unwilling to keep pregnancy if engagement ends. Unwanted pregnancy was less among those ever married (χ2 = 49.96, P < 0.001), and more of the induced abortions were found in the unmarried group albeit not statistically significant (χ2 = 0.21, P = 0.640). Unwanted pregnancy occurred more during the engaged period than any other time, which was statistically significant (χ2 = 20.24, P < 0.001), although no significant difference in induced abortion was found. Conclusion: The prevalence of unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion is high especially among university undergraduates. As it appears to happen more often while they are engaged, unprotected sex during the engagement period needs to be targeted.