| Perceptions of policymakers in Nigeria toward unsafe abortion and maternal mortality. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20123653 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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CONTEXT: In Nigeria, abortion is permitted only to save the life of a woman. Unsafe abortion is common and is a major cause of maternal mortality, yet policymakers have done little to address the problem. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted in 2008 with 49 Nigerian politicians and officials to assess their awareness of unsafe abortion and its role in maternal mortality, and to determine their perceptions of the policies and actions needed to address these problems. RESULTS: Participants had poor knowledge of Nigeria's abortion law and the number of abortions and abortion-related deaths, though many knew of women who had died or nearly died from unsafe abortion. Policymakers were guided by moral and religious considerations rather than by evidence-based approaches. About one-third of informants felt that abortion should not be legal under any circumstances, one-fifth supported liberalization on medical grounds and a similar proportion believed that abortion should be legal in cases of rape and incest. Strategies recommended by respondents to reduce maternal mortality included facilitating access to contraceptives, providing sexuality education, improving the health care system, empowering women and providing free pregnancy care. CONCLUSIONS: Intense public health education and advocacy targeting policymakers is needed to increase political will for reducing abortion-related maternal deaths in Nigeria. Presenting statistics on unsafe abortion together with compelling personal stories will likely resonate with policymakers and contribute to an informed public debate on abortion law reform. |
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Authors:
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Friday E Okonofua; Afolabi Hammed; Emily Nzeribe; Buba Saidu; Tajudeen Abass; Gabriel Adeboye; Temi Adegun; Chike Okolocha |
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12166463 - Personal morals and abortion legislation. 4758593 - Report on 5641 outpatient abortions by vacuum suction curettage. 2935073 - The ethics of mandatory elder abuse reporting statutes. |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: International perspectives on sexual and reproductive health Volume: 35 ISSN: 1944-0391 ISO Abbreviation: Int Perspect Sex Reprod Health Publication Date: 2009 Dec |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-02-03 Completed Date: 2010-03-12 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101504990 Medline TA: Int Perspect Sex Reprod Health Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 194-202 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Women's Health and Action Research Centre, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. feokonofua@yahoo.co.uk |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Abortion, Criminal
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legislation & jurisprudence*,
mortality,
prevention & control Attitude to Health* Female Health Education / legislation & jurisprudence Health Policy / legislation & jurisprudence* Health Services Accessibility / legislation & jurisprudence Humans Leadership* Maternal Mortality* Nigeria / epidemiology Policy Making Politics Pregnancy Women's Health / legislation & jurisprudence Women's Health Services / legislation & jurisprudence* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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