Health Providers’ Perception towards Safe Abortion Service at Selected Health Facilities in Addis Ababa

Jemila Abdi, Mulugeta B Gebremariam

Abstract

 

In Ethiopia, unsafe abortion accounts up to 32% of maternal deaths. The perception of health providers towards safe abortion provision at selected health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was assessed. A stratified random sampling was used to select 431 health providers. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 25-April15, 2008 using a structured self-administered questionnaire.  The results were interpreted using descriptive statistics and odds ratios. A majority of the health providers (96.4%) recognized that unsafe abortion was a serious health problem. Providers who had safe abortion practice were 2.57(95% CI 1.49-4.44) times more likely to have favorable attitude towards safe abortion than those without practice. Similarly, providers who knew the law governing abortion were 1.77 (95% CI 1.12-2.78) times more likely to have this favorable attitude than those who lack this knowledge. In conclusion, training of health providers on safe abortion and reproductive rights are essential to reduce maternal mortality (Afr J Reprod Health 2011; 15[1]: 31-36).

 

Résumé

 

Perception des dispensateurs de soins médicaux envers les services de l’avortement sans danger au sein des établissements de santé sélectionnés, à Addis Abéba. En Ethiopie, l’avortement dangereux est responsable de jusqu’à 32% de décès maternels.  La perception des dispensateurs de soins médicaux envers l’assurance de l’avortement sans danger aux établissements choisis, à Addis Abéba,  Ethiopie a été évaluée.  On s’est servi d’un échantillon randomisé et stratifié pour sélectionner 431 dispensateurs.  Une étude transversale a été menée du 25 mars au 15 avril 2008 à l’aide d’un questionnaire structuré et auto-administré.  Les résultats ont été interprétés à l’aide des données statistiques et des proportions fractionnées.  Une majorité des dispensateurs de soins médicaux (96,4%) ont reconnu que l’avortement dangereux est un problème de santé important.  Les dispensateurs qui avaient des pratiques d’avortement sans danger avaient 2,57(95%CI 1, 49-4,44) fois plus la possibilité d’avoir une attitude favorable envers l’avortement sans danger que ceux qui n’ont pas de pratiques.  De la même manière, les dispensateurs qui connaissaient la loi  qui régit l’avortement avaient 1,77(95% CI 1,12-2,78) fois la possibilité d’avoir cette attitude favorable que ceux qui ne connaissent pas cette loi.  En conclusion, il est nécessaire de former les dispensateurs en matière de l’avortement sans danger et sur les droits de la reproduction pour réduire la mortalité maternelle (Afr J Reprod Health 2011; 15[1]: 31-36).

 

 

  Keywords: Addis Ababa; Perception of abortion; Safe abortion

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