ABSTRACT

This study attempted to analyse reasons responsible for increase in abortion related mortality rates among young women in Benin metropolis.The survey research design was used to carry out the study, and the random sampling technique was used in selecting public places; such as schools, hospitals religious organization and shops in the three Local Government areas; Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, and Oredo, that makes up the Benin metropolis. The study was organized using a sample of two hundred and fifty (250) respondents, randomly selected from these three areas. Questionnaire and unstructured interview were used to elicit responses from respondents. The validity of the questionnaire was carried out by three lecturers from the department. The reliability of the instrument was determined using the test retest method. The instrument was administered to twenty respondents who were not part of the final study, and at an interval of two weeks the same instrument was again administered on the same group of respondents. The scores obtained were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient with a result coefficient of 0.68. The data obtained through questionnaire were analyzed using frequency counts and simple percentages. Results obtained indicated that:

1.      Abortion was identified to be responsible for the increase in maternal mortality rate among young women in Benin Metropolis.

2.      Mortality rates in abortion related cases can be reduced among young women in Benin Metropolis through sex education.

3.      That there is a need for proper and special approach, which is individual confidential approach to counselling abortion victims.

4.      That people are of the opinion that if abortion is made legal maternal mortality rate will not be reduced and will lead to high abortion incidence.

5.      That government has a lot to contribute to issue of abortion related maternal mortality.

Conclusively, emphasis should be laid on sex education. A special approach (individual confidential approach) should be used in counselling abortion victims, in order to live a life out of shame. Government should provide free maternal and health services for teenage mothers. In addition, counselling centres for young mothers as well as social support to take care of unwanted children should be provided.