Factors influencing teenagers to practice unsafe abortions, a study done in the gynecological ward of Kampala International University Teaching Hospital.
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Date
2017-09
Authors
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Publisher
Kampala International University, School of Health Sciences
Abstract
Worldwide, unsafe abortion remains a major global concern as complications resulting from unsafe abortion procedures account for about 47,000 maternal deaths per year. To assess the factors influencing teenagers to practice unsafe abortions, a study which was done in the gynecological ward of Kampala International University Teaching Hospital, a descriptive cross-sectional study design involving the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection was used. Simple random sampling method was used to recruit 49 participants for the interview.
The knowledge about unsafe abortions among the teenagers was not good basing on their definitions of safe sex as 43% of them defined it as using family planning and you don’t get pregnant, 43% also defined it as having sex and you don’t get pregnant and 14% defined it as having sex and you produce when you want. Their definitions were totally different from the true definition of safe sex which is simply taking steps to protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted diseases.
The attitudes towards unsafe abortions among teenagers were also negative as most of them 65.3% stated that their religious beliefs didn’t have any impact on their access to safe abortion care services and only 34.7%, also 67% believed that unsafe abortion couldn’t be stopped while only 33% believed that it could be stopped. The practices influencing teenagers to practice unsafe abortions were also not good as most of them were initiated into sex at an early age.
In order to improve on the teenagers’ knowledge, attitude and practice regarding unsafe abortions, there is need for comprehensive sexuality and reproductive health education focusing on the dangers of early pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
Description
A research report submitted to Uganda Nurses and Midwives’ Board as requirement in partial fulfillment for the award of Diploma in Nursing Sciences.
Keywords
Teenagers, Unsafe abortions, Gynecological ward, Kampala International University