ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Induced Abortion As A Method of Contraception by Married Women with Unintended Pregnancy in Delta State, Nigeria

Prevalence, Predictors, and Reproductive Health Burden
Dr. Williams O. Odunvbun
Dr. Ayo Nwaci 1
Dr. Omonigho Esemuede 2

1Central Hospital Warri, Delta State.

2Eku Baptist Government Hospital, Delta State.

DOI: 10.4314/
Published: December 1, 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Unsafe abortion is an important cause of maternal death, globally. Nigeria contributes about twenty percent to the global figure. Induced abortion by married women as a method of contraception may be associated with life threatening complications. The study determined the prevalence, predictors, and the reproductive health burden of induced abortion, as a method of contraception, among married women with unintended pregnancy in Delta State.

Materials and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in three public health facilities in Delta State. Participants were recruited through census sampling. Interviewer assisted questionnaire was used to collect data, which was subsequently analysed Statistical Product and Service Solution version 23. The level of statistical analysis was set at P<0.05.

Results: The age range of participants was 18-49 years, with a mean age of 29.52 ± 5.78 years. Prevalence of unintended pregnancy was 58.0 %. A third (30.7%) had a history of contraceptive use, while 42.3% a history of termination of pregnancy. The major (38.8%) reason for unintended pregnancy was contraceptive failure. The main (8.8%) complication was abdominal pain. The number of living children and unplanned pregnancy were the predictors for induced abortion (P< 0.001; P < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of induced abortion among multiparous married women with unintended pregnancy, in Delta State. However, there was minimal adverse reproductive health outcome among the participants.

database

Data Availability

All the data for the study will be made available, when requested.

Author Biographies

WO

Dr. Williams O. Odunvbun

Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,  Senior Lecturer.

AN

Dr. Ayo Nwaci

Central Hospital Warri, Delta State.

Obstetrics and Gynaecology.   Chief. Consultant  Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

OE

Dr. Omonigho Esemuede

Eku Baptist Government Hospital, Delta State.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.  Senior Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

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Published in Vol. 8 No. 2 (2025): African Journal of Tropical Medicine and Biomedical Research, December 2025.

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Odunvbun W, Nwach A, Esemuede O. Induced Abortion As A Method of Contraception by Married Women with Unintended Pregnancy in Delta State, Nigeria: Prevalence, Predictors, and Reproductive Health Burden. Afr. J. Trop. Med. Biomed. Res. [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 1 [cited 2026 May 31];8(2):50-6. Available from: https://www.ajtmbr.org.ng/index.php/home/article/view/167
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