New perspectives and evidence on abortion discourse in Nigeria

Akanni Akinyemi, Adesegun Fatusi, Ojo Agunbiade, Olaitan Oyedun, Oladimeji Ogunoye, Melissa Stillman, Onikepe Owolabi, Akinrinola Bankole

Abstract

In Nigeria, addressing unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortion presents a complex challenge that requires a nuanced understanding of sociocultural, economic, and healthcare-related factors. The complexity is partly engrained within the broader social inequity of socio-economic, education and age1 , service delivery2 , and policy3,4. There is a need for new and comprehensive evidence to inform effective policies and interventions tailored for the specific context and realities in Nigerian societies. Evidence, including results from the 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS, 2018)5 , and the 2020 PMA abortion survey6 , suggests that limited access to family planning resources, inadequate sexuality education, and sociocultural factors continue to negatively impact Nigerian women’s reproductive health outcomes including unwanted pregnancy and abortion. There is also the need to understand how socio-economic conditions contribute to the decision-making process surrounding abortion. The evolving landscape of healthcare in Nigeria requires updated evidence on how to improve access to safe and legal abortion services.

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