Abstract:

Unsafe abortions are a serious public health problem and a major human rights issue. In low-income countries, where restrictive abortion laws are common, safe abortion care is not always available to women in need. The main object of the study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of women of child-bearing age (15 to 45) on abortion services in Kasama District of Northern Province Zambia. Almost all the study participants demonstrated a great understanding of the adverse dangers and consequences of unsafe abortion, which includes death, bleeding, mental problems, uterus injuries and menstrual disturbances. About 75% of the health care providers exhibited good knowledge and understanding of the laws of abortion in Zambia, including the 1972 termination of pregnancy act and the conditions that allow for abortion to be approved, while health seekers in the sample demonstrated a lack of knowledge on the termination of pregnancy act and safe abortion in Zambia which was partly attributed to their low levels of education. Abortion is a social reality despite opposition to its practice and the stigma that surrounds it, and it remains one of the most controversial sexual health topics around the world and in Zambia. The findings both from the health care providers and reproductive health users were a bit biased because the majority of the respondents were Catholics who don’t allow family planning and abortion. It can also be concluded that majority of the women know and understands the adverse dangers and consequences of unsafe abortion.

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