Male Partners and Abortion Decision-Making

Induced abortion is a deliberate termination of pregnancy. It is utilized to end an already established pregnancy. It is criminal to induce abortion in Nigeria unless there are evidence that the health of the mother is seriously at risk. Unsafe abortion is therefore an alternative to end unwanted pregnancy. Research has not been able to properly document the male partners’ involvement in abortion decision making. The study was carried out in Ilesa East Local Government to document the prevalence of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion, and the male partners’ involvement in abortion decision – making process. Four hundred respondents were covered, representing one hundred each for married and unmarried male and female sexes. The selection was done using a multi-stage random sampling technique covering the four strata classified in the local government. Focus group discussions (FGD) were also conducted.