Assessing the knowledge and attitude towards abortion practices amongst female tertiary students: A cross-sectional study

Background: Ghana despite having liberal abortion laws, many women, regardless of their socio-economic status, still choose to practice unsafe abortion practices. This study assesses the knowledge and attitude of female University Students towards abortion practices in the University for Development Studies Tamale campus. 

Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study at the University for Development Studies Tamale campus in which self-administered questionnaires were used to assess the knowledge of the female university students on safe abortion, and their attitude towards safe abortion and services. Female university students were recruited for this study through a web-based survey and data analysis was done using Microsoft excel. 

Results: From the survey conducted, 91% of respondents had sufficient knowledge on abortion and its unsafe dimensions. All respondents also seemed to have been able to identify at least one complication of unsafe abortion practices. 90% were also abreast with the stipulations on the laws of abortion which provide circumstances under which abortion may be deemed illegal. 86% thought religious beliefs posed the major hindrance against abortion in Ghana. 

Conclusion: The study showed that respondents had adequate knowledge about safe abortion services and the abortion law of Ghana. The study also showed that an individual’s attitude and perception towards abortion is influenced largely by the religious beliefs of the individual.