Knowledge on Abortion among Adolescents

Abstract

This article aims to analyze knowledge of adolescents about causes and consequences, and its legal procedure in Nepal. This article has used primary data. The primary data were collected by sample survey. Quantitative research method was used in the study. The study area was Ghorahi Sub-metropolitan city, Dang. Adolescents studying at grade 11 and 12 in Public Secondary School were included in the study. Total 320 sample population from class 11 and 12 were selected by systematic random sampling. The structured questionnaire was used as the tool of data collection. Majority (84%) of adolescents correctly reported that son preference is the causes of induced abortion. Only less than one third (29.69%) of adolescents had knowledge on complete criteria of safe abortion. Nearly 68 percent adolescents had knowledge that induced abortion may result uterine infection. But, very small portion (31.0%) of adolescents had knowledge that induced abortion may result infertility and intra-abdominal injury. It shows that almost adolescent have poor knowledge about uterine infection and intra-abdominal injury caused by induced abortion. Small portion (26.56 percent) of adolescents correctly reported that abortion is legal within 12 weeks of pregnancy. Nearly one fifth (18.44%) of adolescents incorrectly reported that any doctor, hospital or clinic has right to abortion. Almost adolescent were aware that abortion is legalized in Nepal. But, they all were not aware about conditional legalization of abortion.