Assessment of Knowledge and Attitudes of 3rd Year Degree Nursing Students Regarding Unsafe Abortion at a University in Namibia

Abstract

Asteria Petrus and Joseph Galukeni Kadhila

Background: Unsafe abortion has defined as a procedure of pregnancy terminated either by persons lacked the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards or both. An estimation of 56.3 million abortions per year were reported globally, between 2010 and 2014. This showed that 25% of all pregnancies (1 out of 4) ended in abortion legally or illegally. In Namibia it is difficult to count abortion cases because, abortion is illegal, women do it secretly. The criminalisation of abortions has driven Namibians to unsafe abortion even though the contribution of unsafe abortion and maternal death is unknown, little data available suggested that it may account for 12 to 16% of Namibia’s annual maternal.

Method: The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of nursing student at University of Namibia, Main Campus on Unsafe abortion. Hard copies questionnaires were distributed to 3rd years nursing degree students and primary data were obtained from students.

Results: A total number of 73 3rd year nursing degree students participated in the study from the University of Namibia, Main Campus. The majority of students were females 96% (70) and males were 4% [1]. The majority of students shows that they have knowledge about unsafe abortion and have positive attitudes toward unsafe abortion.

Conclusion: Students are exposed to unsafe abortion in the clinical practice, and majority of them are aware of it. Therefore, it is crucial for students to get more lecturer before started with practical to have more knowledge and positive attitudes toward unsafe abortion.

Recommendations: This study proposed to the University of Namibia to review their nursing curriculum regarding unsafe abortion and emphasize more in order to prevent death among women of child bearing age.

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