PERCEIVED DETERMINANTS AND MITIGATING MEASURES OF INDUCED ABORTION AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

Abstract

Induced abortion remains a significant and sensitive issue affecting many university students and 
it is influenced by a variety of social, economic and personal factors. This study investigated the 
perceived determinants and mitigating measures of induced abortion among students of 
University of Benin. Four research questions were raised to guide the study and two hypotheses 
were formulated and tested at the 0.05 level of significance. A descriptive survey research design 
was used in the study. Through the use of convenience sampling and simple random selection, 
444 respondents were chosen at random from the population size of 44,332 students. The results 
showed that the perceived determinants of induced abortion among the respondents are personal 
or career goals, unplanned pregnancy, peer pressure, financial constraints, lack of sexuality 
education, social stigma, lack of access to contraception, religious or cultural factors, health 
concerns, rape or sexuality assault and lack of family or partner support. The perceived measures 
to mitigate induced abortion by respondents includes: use of contraceptives, comprehensive sex 
education, financial assistance or support programs for pregnant student, awareness campaigns 
about reproductive health, stronger support from family and peers, and abstinence from sexual 
activity. Drawing from the study’s results, the researchers recommended among others that,  the 
government, non-governmental organisation and other relevant stakeholders in public health 
should ensure that students have easy access to affordable and diverse contraceptive methods on 
campus, thereby, reducing unintended pregnancies which could lead to induced abortion.