Determinants of abortion decision making among university students: a case study of Makerere University students residing in Nana hostels, Kagugube

Abstract

Induced abortion is one of the greatest human rights dilemmas of our time. In Uganda, a large proportion of women undergo induced abortions each year and about one-third of these are treated for complications. However, the available estimates may not be reliable considering the Ugandan law which does not allow termination of pregnancy on request. University students are particularly vulnerable to unsafe induced abortion with its sequelae. Study objective This study aimed to assess abortion decision making among Makerere University students residing in Nana hostels. Methodology A cross sectional study was conducted among randomly selected undergraduate students who are enrolled and registered at this time of study in Makerere University Kampala within the hostels and the final sample size was found as 384 students. A structured questionnaire was used to interview the students and a focus group discussion guide and other available sources will be used to collect qualitative data. Quantitative data were analysed using a SPSS while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results were presented using tables and conclusions drawn. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis were done and relations concluded. Majority of the students involved in the study were females (54.95%) as compared to the males (45.05%) with 90.89% of the sample population believing that abortion is illegal. From this, the study found out was no significant association between sex of students and abortion decisions making at significance level of p<0.05 thereby rejecting the null hypothesis. On the other hand further analysis was made comparing religion and abortion decision making and there was a significant relation ship between the two variables with majority of the respondents being Anglicans (39.06%). The research recommends a need to increase access to Sexual Reproductive health services in Universities to help deal with unintended pregnancies, more studies to avoid unsafe abortions, and also encourage policymakers to review the legal status of abortion in Uganda.