1.

0 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background of the Study

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy associated with the death and expulsion of a fetus

from a uterus before it reaches the stage of viability. An abortion may occur spontaneously, in

normal parlance it is called a miscarriage, or it may be brought on purposefully in which case it

is often called an induced abortion. The issue of abortion has attracted substantial attention in

recent times in Nigeria and everywhere in the world; abortion has therefore become a global

issue (Alimson, 2017). The major concern in most of the discussions on abortion and related

situation draws heavily from the fact that abortion constitutes severe danger to a woman’s health,

but at the same time when performed by medical specialist (i.e abortion specialists) abortions are

safe for the woman, and relatively simple. Religious institutions are against the abortion process

as they believe abortion is a process of committing murder and murderer are seen as sinners

(Knight, 2018) Whey the society frowns at it is because of the inherent fact that if the

phenomenon is not regulated it would impact negatively on the population growth and also on

the welfare of women (Barreto, 2015).

Abortion is therefore forbidden in many societies especially the traditional ones. The “abrupt

removal” or premature termination of babies are said to be as a result of certain factors. Around

the world there is growing concern about rising abortion rates, especially for young women. The

World Health Organization considers teenage pregnancy a high-risk sexual behaviour because of

its important implications for health and social welfare. The majority of young women who

reach the difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy have not finished their studies or have just

started their first job. Becoming mothers would reduce the amount of time and energy they could

devote to pursuing academic and career goals. Moreover, as adolescents are generally ill-
equipped to assume the responsibilities of parenthood, it is no surprise that they are pressured

into seeking abortions (Coleman, 2016). Russia was the first country to legalise abortion, in

1920. Nowadays, around 60% of the world’s population lives in countries where induced

abortion is legal. In contrast, another 25% live in countries that strictly forbid it or allow induced

termination of pregnancy only in cases where the pregnancy poses a threat to the mother’s life

(Boland & Katzive, 2018). The pending 15% are countries which recognize abortion in case the

pregnancy could be risky for the mothers’ physical and/or mental health. Although many

countries have liberalized their laws, the voluntarily interruption of pregnancy remains subject to

a number of restrictions, which do not have a deterrent effect. In many developing countries

where abortion services are restricted by law, access to safe abortions appears to be increasing,

especially among the middle class. Many poor women seek clandestine abortions that impose

heavy economic and health burdens on them (Singh et al., 2009).

The overwhelming majority of countries, 97 percent, permit abortion to save the women’s life. In

five countries, abortion is not permitted. Abortion laws and policies are significantly more

restrictive in the developing world. In developed countries, abortion is permitted for economic or

social reasons in 78 per cent of countries and on request in 67 per cent of countries. In contrast,

19 percent of developing countries permit abortion for economic or social reasons, while in 15

percent of developing countries abortion is available on request. Many countries have additional

procedural requirements that must be met before an abortion may be legally performed.

Additional requirements may relate to the gestational limits within which abortion may be

performed, mandatory waiting period parental or spousal consent, third-party authorization, the

categories of healthy providers permitted to perform abortions, the types of medical facilities

where abortions may be performed and mandatory counseling. In addition, even when abortion is
legally permitted, access to abortion services may be limited. It is important to point out that up-

to-date information on the status of abortion policy is not readily available for all countries. The

information for some countries is either incomplete or unclear.

In Nigeria, the law makes it a criminal act to perform or seek for abortion except it is for the

purpose of saving the women indulging in the act and the people demanding for it, abortion is

still secretly practiced by medical practitioners and is still on the high side especially among

adolescents. Abortion during adolescents has led to deaths and health consequences such as

barrenness, sterility, infection of the womb, perforating of the uterus, amongst others.

Nevertheless, adolescents in Nigeria have continued to seek for abortion with unqualified

physicians providing the services in private clinics and hospital where in most cases unsafe

methods are used resulting to severe health consequences or even death among the adolescents

(Ayanwale, 2001).

Abortions that are performed to preserve the well-being of the female or in case of rape or incest

are therapeutic or justifiable abortions. Induced abortion is accepted on some countries but in

other countries it is highly forbidden.

However, other factors (economic social, educational, and family size) have equally become

prominent in respect to abortion or pregnancy termination. Both male and female students are

supposed to be sexually responsible since a lot of student’s in today’s societies are already

sexually active, but females always carry the bulk of the responsibility as they are the ones who

would be greatly affected by any mistake (Alimson, 2016).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

People are influenced by what they see, read or hear. In true senses, the media houses cannot be

exonerated from causing this problem given their penchant for pornographic picture, sexually

stimulating discussions and stories. Even the kids are known to practice what they see people do

on television (Saka, 2001). Ignorance is also a factor causing this problem because it has been

observed that abortion is carried out more by people with low education (Saka, 2001). This is as

a result of the fact that the individual does not comprehend sex, possible effects and dangers

associated with abortion. Most parents hardly have anytime to educate their children on sex

education. Economic crises have also been listed as a factor that brings about abortion, as young

ladies go out to cater for themselves in the absence of funds from their parents thereby subjecting

themselves to pre-marital sex. It should however be borne in mind that the attitude of the male

counterpart determines whether the pregnancy is aborted or not. Studies like this might help to

increase information related to these gaps for future policymaking decisions so that adequate

youths might get the service. Therefore, determining abortion among the youth and its associated

variables expected to be a great asset for this state of affairs in Lagos State of University.

1.3 Research Questions

i. To what extent does poverty in the country led to the increase in induced abortion in

LASU?

ii. Is there any relationship between societal attitudes towards induced abortion among

undergraduate students in LASU?

iii. Does educational attainment induce abortion among undergraduate students in

LASU?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The primary objective of this study is to examine the socio economic determinant of induced

abortion among undergraduate student.

Other specific objectives include the following:

i. To determine the extent to which poverty in the country has led to the increase in induced

abortion in LASU

ii. To examine the undergraduate students societal attitudes toward induced abortion in

LASU

iii. To examine how educational attainment induce abortion among undergraduate students

in LASU

1.5 Significant of Study

As stated in the introductory part of this paper, induced abortion is a global phenomenon that

permeates all industries of the world which implies that varieties of groups stands to gain from

this research work. Some of these groups include the researcher, students of the institutions used

as the case study, other institution, upcoming researchers that will carry out the same research,

government, parents and the whole society at large. Furthermore, this study has not been able to

be addressed and reduced, the society, university authorities and policy makers should be able to

make out polices that will help address the issue of abortion in the society. Seminars,

exhortations, e.t.c should be organized in other to help solve the situation. People should

continue to carry out study on why undergraduate female students indulge in induced abortion.

This is because the understanding of the causes of abortion will enable society, university

authorities and policy makers look for means to address and reduce the menace.

1.6.1 Scope of the Study

 It is a known fact that induced abortion is not confined to any particular area but all over the

globe. However, this study focuses its attention on the socio economic effect of induced abortion

among undergraduate student with reference to Lagos State University; this is done in order to

avoid ambiguous information that may come as a result of environmental differences if another

location is added. Hence the component of induced abortion, prospect would be looked into with

particular emphasis on Lagos State University.

1.6.2 Limitation of the Study

In the process of gathering information relevant to the purpose of this research, there are certain

challenges that might affect the researcher, some of which include:

i. Time impediment: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other

academic work. This consequently will cut down the time devoted for the research work

ii. Financial impediment: Insufficient funds tend to obstruct the efficiency of relevant materials,

literature or information and in the process of data collection (questionnaire, internet and

interview].

iii. Probable uncooperative attitude of respondents

1.7 Conceptual Clarifications

iv. Abortion: This is the termination of a pregnancy associated with the death and

expulsion of a fetus from a uterus before it has reached the stage of viability (in human

beings, usually about the 20th week of gestation).

 v. Induced Abortion: This refers to an abortion that is brought about purposefully.

Abortion can be induced for medical reasons or because of an elective decision to end

the pregnancy

vi. Pregnancy: This is the period of time between fertilization of the ovum (conception)

and birth, during which mammals carry their developing young in the uterus. The

duration of pregnancy in humans is all about 280 days, equal to a calendar month

vii. Miscarriage: This is the spontaneous and of a pregnancy before fatal vivacity (the stage

of potential independent survival)

 CHAPTER TWO

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction

This part of the study makes an enquiry into existing bodies of knowledge that have relevance

and have contributed to the research under study.

2.2 Theoretical Framework

2.2.1 Theory of Reasoned Action

The theory of reasoned Action by Fishbein & Ajzen (1980) was designed to explain not just

health behavior but all volitional behaviours. This theory is based on the assumption that most

behaviours of social relevance are under volitional (willful) control. In addition, a person’s

intention to perform (or not to perform) the behavior is the immediate determinant of that

behavior. The goal is not to predict human behavior but also to understand it.

According to this theory, a person’s intention to perform a specific behavior or act like having an

abortion is a function of two factors;

(i) Attitude (positive or negative) to wards abortion and

(ii) The influence of the social environment (general subjective norms) on abortion. The

attitude towards abortion is determined by the person’s belief that a given outcome

will occur if she has no abortion and by the evaluation of the outcome. The social or

subjective norm is determined by a person’s normative belief about what important or

“others think she would do and by the individuals motivation to comply with those

other peoples wishes or desires. Attitude towards abortion are functions of beliefs in
 this theory. If a person believes that having an abortion is a positive action (like

finishing school), she would hard a favourable attitude towards having an abortion.

On the other hand a person who believes that having an abortion would mostly lead to

negative outcomes (like health problems) will hold an unfavourable attitude. These

beliefs that foundation of a person’s attitude towards abortion are referred to as

behavioural beliefs. Subjective norms also a function of beliefs. These are the

person’s beliefs that certain individuals and groups are for and against abortion.

2.2.2 Theory of Knowledge

This theory examines the relationship that exists between thought and society. It attempts to

relate the idea in a setting to the socio-historical setting in which they are produced and received.

It has something to do with the ideology of a people. Since it concerns itself with the thought of a

society, it constitutes the sociological focus of a much more general problem than that of the

existential determination of thought as such.

There is a functional relationship between social structures and categories of thought and the

ideas operative within such structures. Impression of nature, are compared upon the mind by the

sex, age, religion, health and sickness, beauty and deformity and these are likes which are

inherent and not extern and again those which are caused by extern fortune as sovereignty,

nobility, obscure, birth, riches, want, magistracy, prosperity, adversity and the life (Bacon,

1952).

Theoretical Review

As regards socioeconomic background, women with low socioeconomic status have many more

unplanned pregnancies than better educated women. Except for young or unmarried women, the

lower the woman’s socio-economic status, the greater is the likelihood she will choose to have an
induced abortion when faced with an unplanned pregnancy. However, teenage fertility rates vary

greatly among districts with different average income levels. For example, most pregnancies that

end in births are unplanned for women from disadvantaged social classes (Cano-Serral et al.,

2006; Font-Ribera et al., 2008; Valero et al., 1994). In addition, the use of contraceptive methods

is less frequent among women with fewer financial resources.

Without detracting from the significance of socioeconomic status, other studies that point to

partner cohabitation as the strongest determinant of planned pregnancy (Besculides & Laraque,

2004) are worth mentioning. Furthermore, in Barcelona, few women carry their pregnancy to

term in the absence of a “steady” partner. This tendency is contrary to what happens in northern

European countries where the rate of single mothers is much higher due to both women’s

liberation and access to better social benefits (Zeitlin, et al., 2002).

The theoretical orientation of this work is the theory of knowledge. Since this study involves

with the course and consequences of abortion among adolescents, therefore tends to depend on

knowledge of the individual adolescent as regards what abortion is all about. The theory of

knowledge is a theory of social or existential determination of knowledge thought and the social

structure in which they emerged. The theory explains why there are variations in thought and

perception from one place to another.

2.3 Conceptual Framework

History and Origin of Abortion

The history of abortion according to anthropologists, dates back to the ancient times, as abortion

in some form, has existed in the human race for millennia. Ancient tribes would sometimes be

forced to more quickly, and pregnant women could slow the entire tribe down. Abuses of the
woman’s abdomen, and later abuse through excessive horseback riding, could cause the baby to

be born prematurely. This baby was either then killed or left to die. Unfortunately, the mother

also frequently died during the birthing (Gluion, 1985). Today abortion is much safer for the

mother, but just as deadly to the child. There were evidence to show that historically,

pregnancies were terminated through a number of methods, including the administration of

abortificient herbs, the use of sharpened implements, the application of abdominal pressure, and

other techniques. Historically, culture plays an important role in the behaviour of people or

groups with culture varieties as equally differential approaches to the issue of abortion. Hundreds

of thousands of years ago there were no pregnancy tests and no tools to perform early term

abortions. By the time an abortion was performed, the baby was delivered, primitively but alive,

and then the abortion process would be completed by infanticide of a born child (Gluion, 2015).

Until 19th century, methods of abortion no matter how remotely modern did not appear and the

state did not prohibit abortion until the 19th century but the traition of women’s right to early

abortion was rooted in U. S Society by then (George, 2018).

Forms and Nature of Abortion

Abortion is not just a simple medical procedure. For many women, it is a life changing event

significant physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences. Most women who struggle with past

abortions say that they wished they had been told of all the facts about the abortion and the risk

(Henshaw, Singh & Haas, 2019). The programme of the action of the 1994 conference on

population and development held in Cairo urged government and other relevant organizations “to

deal with the health impact of unsafe abortions as a major public health concern and to reduce

the recourse of abortion through expanded and improved family planning services” (U.N
Conference on population and Development, 2014). However, in spite of the recommendation of

the conference, abortion forms and nature varied across culture and countries all over the world.

There are different ways and abortion can be performed. Different methods are used under

different circumstances and after different developments of the embryo or fetus. No method of

abortion is 100% successful.

Methods and Risk Abortion

Throughout the years, right from the point that the first abortion was carried out, different

methods and ways of aborting were found, both local and medical. The Medical practical became

more advanced forming more ways and processes of abortion and some of these are; suction

Aspiration, Dilation and Curettage (D and C), Dilation and Evacuation (D and E), salt poisoning

(Saline Injection) etc. All of these methods are surgical and can result in complications so the

doctors have to be extremely careful as there are a lot of risks involved (Barreto, 1992).

Abortion complication have brought about a lot of awareness, some of the risks involved

include; death, breast cancer, cervical ovarian and liver cancer, cervical lacerations,

placentaprevia, handicapped newborns in later pregnancies, and lower general health (Fagbemi,

2001).

Effect occurs with induced abortion, whether surgical or pill. These include abdominal pain and

cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Abortion also carries the risk of significant

complications and damage to organs. Serious complications occur in less than 1 out of 100 early

abortions and in about 1 out of every 50 later abortions. Complications may include: Heavy

bleeding, infections, sepsis, anesthesia and damages to internal organs (Strahan, 1997).
Factors Contributing To Abortion

George (2001); Fagbemi (2001); Lucas (1985) and Norton and Walls (1983) have identified in

their various contributions several factors that tend to induce abortion.

These factors include;

i) Medical,

ii) Economic,

iii) Education,

iv) Social/Cultural, and

v) Family size.

George (2004) particularly noted that individual females resort to pregnancy abortion largely

because of medical and economic factors. According to Ejidah (1999) the lack of use of

contraceptives by teenagers and young people resorts in high level of pregnancies and abortions.

To them abortion becomes the on alternative as they are unable to carry the pregnancy.

Furthermore, Makinwa-Adebusoye (1997) identified reasons why students indulge in abortion.

These according to her include;

i. First, desire to remain in school; therefore complete her education. This is because she

may have to stay home to have her baby and once she leaves the probability of coming

back reduces.

ii. Second, financial concerns; having and caring for a child is expensive and she would lack

the ability to provide for the baby since she has no source of income.
 iii. Third, fear of social reprisal because of an out –of- wedlock pregnancy (International

Family Planning Perspective, 1997)

Society, Socio-Cultural Factors and Abortion

Culture plays very significant roles in the lives of people. It performs a major regulatory

behavior in which action(s) and reaction(s) of individuals are set or ordained. There are different

societies and cultures all over the world and they all seem to frown down on abortion especially

from the cultural and religious point of view (Bankole and Adebayo, 1999). In Nigeria,

Christian, Islamic and traditional religious practices are against abortion and have equivocally

restricted their members from indulging in it. These religious groups see abortion as nothing but

“Murdering of unborn babies” (Bankole and Adebayo 1999).

Social factors

Abortion is not always seen as a negative act. Some societies censure abortion based on

traditional and religious values, but others see abortion as a better option than carrying an

unwanted pregnancy to term. In many Asian societies, e.g. Korean and Chinese, there is strong

social stigma against single or unwed motherhood. In fact, abortion is much more acceptable

from a societal perspective in Asia than it is in Latin America or the USA. This explains, in part,

the growth of sex-selective abortion in some Asian countries where couples abort a female fetus

hoping that the next pregnancy will be a boy. The law condemns this practice, but it is still

pervasive in several countries, including India. Chandrasekhar (Chandrasekhar, 2014), for

example, refers to growing female feticide as the result “of the desire for sons which has

assumed monstrous proportions in India”. In Nigeria, as it is made clear by Luo, Wu, Chen & Li

(2019), “sexual relations among unmarried people have always been taboo. Even today, such
activity carries strong societal disapproval.” While Nigeria has put into effect a large and

effective programme to make contraception available to married couples, it has done little to

supply services to younger unmarried couples. The authors of the case-study also note, “the

government continued to assume that (adolescents) would have no sexual life at all until the later

age at marriage called for by the new 1980 policy” (Luo, Wu, Chen & Li, 2019). That adolescent

do have sexual relations and face enormous social pressure if pregnancy results became clear in

the case-study conducted in six rural counties in Sichuan Province. Women seeking an abortion

during the first trimester of their pregnancy were screened from family planning clinics and

hospital records; 457 unmarried women, mostly young, were selected for the study. These young

women decided to abort rather than face immense societal disapproval against unmarried,

pregnant women in their communities. As Luo Lin et al. (2019) remark: “The social stigma

against such behaviour is so strong that it also prevents them from securing a method of

contraception, so that if they do have premarital sexual relations and get pregnant, abortion

becomes their only way out.”

A different social context emerges from the Tanzanian case-study; here, sexual activity begins

early, casual sex is common, and the social stigma that unwed mothers experience is high. The

study interviewed 455 women, mostly adolescents, admitted to four public hospitals for abortion

complications in Dar-es- Salaam. Many of these girls had long-term boyfriends and, by the age

of 17, most of them were sexually active. Half of these girls had minimal or nonexistent

knowledge about contraception. A very interesting finding was that one third of the younger

adolescents in the study reported having male partners aged 45 years or more. Among older girls,

who were mainly students, this proportion remained fairly high at almost one fourth. Overall,

few teenagers who had an abortion had become pregnant by boyfriends of their same age. These
findings reflect the widespread “sugar-daddy” phenomenon in African cities. As a result of

increased awareness of HIV/AIDS, older men seek younger women who are “safer” and are

attracted to them by promises of protection and financial help. These young women – if they

become pregnant by their sugar-daddies – are more likely to seek an abortion as having a child

with them would preclude their marrying, later on, someone of their own age and ethnic group.

As the study authors remark (Mpangile, Lesahabari, Kihhwele, 2019), “the high rate of

adolescent sexual relations seems to be associated with the high level of permissiveness in

society, combined with a lack of sex education in the schools”. The importance of social norms

on fertility behaviour, and thus on pregnancy outcomes, cannot be stressed enough. Even in

circumstances where family planning services are well developed and accessible – and generally

thought to be good – abortion continues to take place. For some women, there is a strong

motivation to end an unwanted pregnancy that will have a negative social impact on their lives,

as for instance among unmarried adolescents being ostracized by the family, expelled from

school, or fired from a job. But abortions are sought also by married women who have completed

their desired family size and for whom another child may mean less care for the children they

already have. In many cases, unintended pregnancies result from the use of less effective

methods, e.g. withdrawal (coitus interruptus), which require a greater degree of user self-control.

Economic factors

Poverty, including uncertainties in economic circumstances, is an important determinant of

abortion when women face an unintended pregnancy. This is demonstrated by the Mexican case-

study conducted by Elu (2018) in Mexico City. The study included 300 women admitted to the

Hospital de la Mujer (Women’s Hospital) for abortion complications. The study found that the

major determinants affecting the decision to abort included economic, social, and family-related
circumstances. However, these factors, at a personal level, tended to be interrelated, with

economic problems playing a very central role in the decision to abort. As Elu (2018) remarks:

“For all women we interviewed, economic circumstances were an ever present factor in the

decision-making process of whether or not to have an abortion. In some cases extreme poverty

was the primary reason to choose abortion”. The following case illustrates how poverty acts to

influence reproductive decisions:

Doña Esperanza was born in a small town, a journey of 2 hours from the capital city. At the age

of 14, she came to Mexico City to work as a housemaid. Now she lives with her husband, and

her two children, a 19-year-old daughter and a 17-year-old son, from a previous relationship that

ended when that husband died in an accident. She had her first abortion just after she arrived in

Mexico City. She had a second one after the birth of her eldest daughter. In both cases, the

reason for the abortion was her unstable economic situation, which made it difficult even to get

proper nourishment (Elu, 2018).

Another case from the women interviewed by Elu (2018) shows, once more, the critical role of

economic circumstances in the decision to seek an abortion: Doña Minerva and her husband

were both born in a rural village, but they moved to the capital city 16 years ago. They both have

worked very hard to survive. With great sacrifice they saved enough money to make a down

payment on a small house, which will be paid for in four years. After having their first son,

Minerva had to abort a second pregnancy because they could not support themselves financially.

Since then, they have used the "rhythm method", but it has failed repeatedly and four more

children have been born (Elu, 2019). The importance of the cost of an abortion is examined in
another case-study focused on the decision-making process for adolescent girls who had an

induced abortion in Mexico (Ehrenfeld,2019).

By contrast, in more favourable economic environments, economic aspirations can also act as a

determinant in the decision to end a pregnancy. This was clearly demonstrated in the study by

Kwon, Kwang, Sung (2019) of young women working in three export-oriented industrial zones

in the Republic of Korea. The study attributes the growth in numbers of young women

postponing marriage, while seeking employment opportunities to improve their own and their

parents’ economic wellbeing, to the rapid pace of industrialization. These changes have

inevitably led to an increase in premarital sexual activity. In a society that strongly condemns out

of-wedlock pregnancy, this has also brought about a rapid increase in the number of abortions

among adolescents and young adults. As in other societies, reproductive health services have

ignored the needs of younger women and men, another factor leading to abortion. Furthermore,

“the social practice of viewing sexuality as a commodity to be bought and sold entraps many

young girls in a world of sexual impulses rather than allowing them to mature sexually in a

compassionate and psychologically supportive way” (Kwon, Kwang, Sung, 2019).

Overall, for a woman facing an unintended pregnancy, unstable economic circumstances and the

threat to her family’s financial stability, if the pregnancy is carried to term, are very powerful

factors influencing the decision to seek an abortion. Economic factors also dictate the path to an

affordable abortion. Unfortunately, when abortion complications do occur the economic cost

shifts heavily onto the public health system, which must deal with them when the woman

appears for care.

Legal issues relating to abortion

Abortion has been controversial ever since. Some societies see termination of unintended

pregnancy as feasible, while some societies place highly restrictive laws on the intent or attempt

at inducing abortion (Ujah, 2017). About 21.6 million unsafe abortions take place yearly, mostly

in regions where abortion is unlawful (WHO, 2019). According to W.H.O (2019), abortion is

safe in regions where it is lawful, but harmful in regions where it is proscribed and executed

surreptitiously. According to W.H.O (2019), nearly all abortions (92%) are harmless in

developed countries, however in developing countries, more than half (55%) are dangerous.

Nigeria is counted as part of the countries with the utmost restraining Lawson abortion in the

world; in Nigeria, abortion is allowed solely when the life of the woman is threatened and

violators of such laws are open to protracted jail terms-up to 7 years for a woman aborting for

other motives and 14 years for any medical practitioner convicted of execution of an unlawful

extraction (Omo-Aghoja, Okonofua, Aghedo, Umueri, Otayohwo, Feyi-Waboso, & Esume,

2019).

Abortion in Nigeria is overseen by two diverse laws. In the predominantly Muslim states of the

far Northern Nigeria, the Penal Code, Law No. 18 of 1959, is in effect while the criminal code of

1916 is in effect in the southern part of the country. Though, both Codes unanimously prohibit

the performance of abortion, differences in the wording of the Codes as well as in their

interpretation, have resulted in two slightly different handlings of abortion offences (Osinachi

Ilobinso, 2017).

Abortion in Nigeria is also administered by both the criminal Code and the penal code, which

relates to both the southern states and the northern states, respectively. Pertinent provisions of the

criminal Code are built considerably upon Section 58 of the offences against the person Act 1861

(of England). The penal code that regulates abortion is built upon Scottish Common law. The
major variance between the two is that where the former is applicable to whosoever is acting

with the intention of attaining the miscarriage “whether she is with child or not” the latter applies

to the cases of women who in fact are “with child” (WHO, 2018).

The Law prohibits abortions and prescribes penalties for any person that procures a miscarriage

of a woman or supplies anything intended to be used for the procurement of miscarriages of a

woman or any woman who procures her own miscarriage (Criminal Code Act, 2004). The act

makes exceptions in section 297 making operation on an unborn child excusable if it is carried

out to rescue the life of the woman. The consequence is that it becomes an offence when the

clinical operation is not performed to rescue or spare life. The penal code which is applicable in

the north also prohibits abortion unless it is aimed at rescuing the life of the woman.

The relevant provisions which relates to abortion are as follows:

Any person who, with intent to procure miscarriage of a woman whether she is or is not with

child, unlawfully administer to her or causes her to take any poison or other noxious thing, or

uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, is guilty of felony, and is liable to

imprisonment for fourteen years. (Section 228, Criminal Code Act, 2004)

2.3 Review of Related Literature Studies

Vadumene, Isreal & Terhemen (2019) concluded in their study “Induced Abortion amongst

Undergraduate Students of University of Port-Harcort” Up to 47% of these undergraduates had

performed abortion in the past. Protecting educational career was the single most important

reason for this. Although most of these undergraduates are against legalizing abortion, they

highly patronize unsafe abortion. Improving contraceptive awareness and usage will reduce
unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion. This option appears next to total abstinence in

reducing the morbidity and mortality from induced abortion in this country

Girma & Samuel (2021) also opined in their study “Determinants of abortion among youth 15–

24 in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis based on” that Less abortion occurred in economically poor

youths. Noting that it is a noble finding; however, the access problem might lead to the result.

They observed more abortions in age <18years; those have not given birth until the data

collection date. It portrays forth clear policy direction for politicians and all other stakeholders to

intervene in the problem. The analysis also showed abortion increased with age. It shows that as

age increased, youths disclose abortion which is rare at an early age, and again given an essential

clue for the next interventions. The fact in this study is both age and marriage affected abortion

similarly. It might be because of various culture-related perceptions where it is not appropriate

for an unmarried woman to appear with any pregnancy outcome as the reason behind the

decreased number of abortions at a younger age. Thus, more attention is required during

implementation for unmarried and lower age youth regardless of the magnitude of the abortion

Akinrinola, Isaac, Rubina, Olutosin, Susheela & Joshua (2016) conclude that Levels of

unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion continue to be high in Nigeria. Improvements in

access to contraceptive services and in the provision of safe abortion and post abortion care

services (as permitted by law) may help reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.

Tadesse, Mulugeta, Tewodros, Mahilet & Adane (2020) conclude that the prevalence of induced

abortion among the College of health science female students was found remarkable and we can

conclude that induced abortion is one of public health importance among this population.

Therefore, Mizan-Tepi University, College of health science, and Town health offices have to
collaborate to decrease unwanted pregnancy to prevent induced abortion. Health education

regarding contraceptive use, the consequence of induced abortion, and youth friendly services

have to be delivered for students.

Eyitayo, Adeyinka, Ogadimma, Bamidele, Chisaa & Kemisola (2020) opined in their study

“Awareness on abortion legality among undergraduate students in Nigerian Universities”. The

study made use of questionnaire as the source of data collection. A total of 587 questionnaires

were administered and analyzed. Findings from this study supported literature on the knowledge

of undergraduates on abortion. It further revealed that awareness of legal provisions guiding

abortion in Nigeria was low, as only 28.3% of the respondents were aware of the criminal and

penal code laws relating to abortion. It is recommended that the schools should include education

of legal stance on abortion in the curriculum. Also, the undergraduate students should be

educated on mortality resulting from abortion to boost the development rate of the country.

2.4 Research Hypothesis

The following are the tentative assumption that is used to test this study, Since Hypotheses are

tentative assumption drawn from the topic, and the hypotheses below were made in relation with

stated problems and objectives of the study. The following research hypotheses (Null Hypothesis

{H0} and Alternative Hypothesis {H1}) guided the study:

Hypothesis i

H0: Poverty does not have any significant effect on the increase in abortion in LASU

H1: Poverty has a significant effect on the increase in abortion in LASU

Hypothesis ii
 H0: Societal attitudes do not have any significant effect on the abortion among undergraduate

students in LASU

H1: Societal attitudes have significant effect on the abortion among undergraduate students in

LASU

Hypothesis iii

H0: Educational attainment does not induce abortion among undergraduate students in LASU

H1: Educational attainment induce abortion among undergraduate students in LASU

 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Introduction

This chapter will focus on research methodology which includes research design, population of

the study, sample size determination, sampling procedure, method of data collection, validity and

reliability of data instrument and method of data analysis. And the information gotten in this

chapter three that entails research methodology will be used to prepare the next chapter four that

entails data analyses, interpretation and discussion of findings

3.1 Research Design

In carrying out this study, survey research method will be adopted based on the purpose of the

study. Survey design is considered appropriate in generating data for the study through the use of

questionnaire. Nsini and Udoh (2013) states that the research design refers to the overall strategy

that will be used to choose to integrate the different components of the study in a coherent and

logical way, thereby, ensuring that research will effectively address the research problem; it

constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement, and analysis of data. Research design

will define a succinct and logical plan to tackle established research question(s) through the

collection, interpretation, analysis, and discussion of data. A research design is a framework that

has been created to find answers to research questions.

3.2 The Study Area

3.3 Population of the Study

The study population is the aggregation of element from which the sample is actually selected. It

is the aggregation or the totality of all members or units from which information could be
obtained (Rubin and Babbie, 2011). Therefore the population for this study consists of female

students in all faculty of the school in which a random population of 300 students will be

selected

3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Technique/Procedure

Sampling is concerned with the choice of a subgroup of individuals from the target population in

order to enable the estimation of the characteristic of the entire population. It is vital to use an

adequate number of subjects so as to ensure a higher probability that results of the study will be

more generalizable and interpretable.

In estimating the sample size, Taro Yamane sample size determination formula will be used. The
formula is given as:

N
n = 1+N (e) 2
Where;
n= Sample size
N= Population size
e= Level of Significant (or limit of tolerance error) 0.05,
Hence, to determine sample size for this research work it is calculated as:

N= 300
1+ 300(0.052)
= 300
1+300 (0.0025)
= 300
1+0.75
=170
The sample size for the study therefore is one hundred and seventy students (170).
3.5 Data Collection Procedure

The sources of data to be employed in this research survey will be primary data, primary data is

the act of using questionnaire in getting information on the opinion and view of various

individual on a subject, or issues, for research purposes. Questionnaire was design and use for

this studies, and which contains two part, section A and Section B, section A contain some few

personal information of the respondent while section B contains question related to field of

study.

3.6 The Instrument for Data Collection

This study will adopt primary method of data collection. Primary data will be retrieved using

structured questionnaire designed to include two sections. The first part of the questionnaire will

be used to get information on respondent’s bio-data. While the second part will be used to get

answers from the respondents on the questions been asked that will correspond with the purpose

of the study. A 4 point Likert scale format as exemplified herein: Strongly Agree (4), Agree (3);

Disagree (2) and Strongly Disagree (1) was adopted. The decision to structure the questionnaire

was to predicate the need to reduce variability in the meanings possessed by the questions as a

way of ensuring comparability of responses.

3.6.1 Validity of Data Collection Instrument

Validity test will be carried out in order to ensure that the research instrument (questionnaire)

will be given to the project supervisor, validity of the research questionnaire will be examine

through the judgment of the supervisor and experts in academic institutions. In other to point out

to the researcher statement that are poorly worded, and these statement that do not correspond

with the purpose of the study

3.6.2 Reliability of Data Collection Instrument

Reliability is the degree to which a measurement is consistent with similar results over time.

Measurement can be reliable and yet not useful but if measurements are useful or valid, it is

certainly reliable. Reliability of the research instrument involves the consistency of the result

obtained with the instrument and if the instrument gives similar, close or the same result if the

study is repeated under the same assumptions. For Cronbach alpha test; this is relating each

measurement item with the other measurement item so as to obtain the average the average inter-

relationship for all the paired associations. Cronbach alpha method of reliability is used for

measuring the reliability of this research work. .

3.7 Method of Data Analysis

The research will be done with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) to

analyze the data collected from the selected sample. Data will be presented using frequency, and

percentage, regression analysis coefficient will be used to test the hypothesis.

3.8 Ethical Considerations

According to Finnis (1983), ethics is a branch of philosophy, said to have been initiated by

Aristotle, which takes human action as its subject matter.A central issue in ethics, Ali and Kelly

argue, is the relationship between the individual and the social world. They further argue that, in

research, we need to consider how the imposition of the research on individuals (with their

consent or otherwise) can be balanced with the benefit of making the world a better place to live

in. Indeed a number of ethical considerations were taken into account throughout this study. The

researcher informed the respondent through a letter of consent to request for their participation in

the research. When permission was granted, the research topic was introduced and invited people
to participate on voluntary basis. The questionnaire (appended) also was very clear that

participation was voluntary, the research was purely for academic purposes and that

confidentiality of participants was assured. The clarity of this aspect may have as well

contributed to the low response rate, since; respondents are as different from each other as

researchers and therefore capable of responding differently to different information.

However, before the distribution of the questionnaire, the researchers explained the purpose of

the study to the research subjects as well as assuring their confidentiality and while at the same

time soliciting their consent after their agreement. We only proceeded with the process after their

confirmation of willingness to participate. Therefore, this research tried as much as was possible

to respect persons that provided information and on whom information was collected; respect the

knowledge gained and indeed respect for social work research.

 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 DATA ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION AND PRESENTATIONS

Presentation of Results

This chapter is concerned with the presentation and discussion of the results of data analysis and

their interpretation. The study was conducted to examine the socio economic determinant of

induced abortion among undergraduate student in Lagos State University, Lagos state. Three

research questions and six hypotheses were generated for the study and tested. From the 170

questionnaires administered, only 140 questionnaires were returned, which is used to analyze the

data. The statistical tools used for the testing of the research instrument were: descriptive

statistics such as frequency distribution and percentages; and inferential statistics in the form of

multiple regression analysis with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)

version20.

4.1.2 Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the respondents

Table 4.1.2:

Gender
Frequency Percent Valid Cumulative
Percent Percent
Male 80 57.1 57.1 57.1
Valid Female 60 42.9 42.9 100.0
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.2 analyses the response of the respondents, it shows that 80 respondents representing

57.1% are male and 60 respondents representing 42.9% were female. This indicates that majority

of the respondents are male.

Table 4.1.3

Age

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative

Percent
18- 25 years 20 14.3 14.3 14.3

26 – 45 years 53 37.8 37.8 52.1

46 – 55 years 49 35.0 35.0 87.2
Valid
55 years and 18 12.85 12.8 100.0
above
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.3 analyses the response of the respondents, it shows that 20 respondents representing

(14.3%) are between 18- 25 years, 53 respondents representing (37.8%) were within 26 – 45

years years of age, 49 respondents representing (35.0%) were within 46 – 55 years, 18

respondents representing 12.85% were 55 years and above. This indicates that majority of the

respondents are within 26-45 years of age.

Table 4.1.4:
Religion Affiliation

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent

Christianity 65 46.4 46.4 46.4

Islam 42 30.0 30.0 76.4

Valid
African Tradition 33 23.6 23.6 100.0

Total 360 100.0 100.0

Source: Researcher’s field survey, June, 2022.

Table 4.1.6 analyzed the response of the respondents, it shows that 65 respondents representing

(46.4%) are Christianity, 42 respondents representing (30.0%) are Islam and 33 respondents

representing (23.6%) are African Tradition. This indicates that majority of the respondents were

Christian.
Table 4.1.5

What level are you?

Frequency Percent Valid Cumulative
Percent Percent
100 31 22.1 22.1 22.1
200 71 50.7 50.7 72.9
300 20 14.28 14.28 87.18
Valid
400 10 7.14 7.14 94.28
500 8 5.71 5.71 100.0
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.5 analyses the level of the respondents, it shows that 31 respondents representing

22.1% were 100 level, 71 respondents representing 50.7% were 200 level, 20 respondents

representing 14.28% were 300 level, 10 respondents representing 7.14% were 400 level and 8

respondents representing 5.71% were 500 level.

Table 4.1.6

Ethnic Group
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Yoruba 30 21.4 21.4 21.4
Igbo 58 41.4 41.4 62.9
Valid Hausa 28 20.0 20.0 82.9
Others 24 17.1 17.1 100.0
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.6 analyses the response of the respondents, it shows that 30 respondents representing

21.4% are Yoruba, 58 respondents representing (41.4%) are Igbo, 28 respondents representing

20.0% are Hausa and the remaining 24 respondents representing 17.1% are from other ethnic

group. This indicates that majority of the respondents are Igbo

Table 4.1.7

What do you understand by the term abortion?

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Termination of 45 32.1 32.1 32.1
unwanted
pregnancy
Removal of fetus 84 60.0 60.0 92.1
Valid
before maturity
Dilation of the 11 7.9 7.9 100.0
cervix
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.7 analyze the response of the respondents, it shows that 45 respondents representing

32.1% understood abortion as termination of unwanted pregnancy, 84 respondents representing

60.0% said abortion is removal of fetus before maturity, and 11 respondents representing 7.9%

accept abortion as the dilation of the cervix.

Table 4.1.8

To what extent did you think induced abortion is caused by poverty

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Large extent 45 32.1 32.1 32.1
Little extent 54 38.6 38.6 70.7
Valid Extreme extent 11 7.9 7.9 78.6
No extent 30 21.4 21.4 100.0
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.8 analyze the response of the respondents, it shows that 45 respondents representing

32.1% accept that induced abortion is caused by poverty to large extent, 54 respondents

representing 38.6% accept that induced abortion is caused by poverty to little extent, 11
respondents representing 7.9% accept that induced abortion is caused by poverty to extreme

extent, 30 respondents representing 21.4% conclude that induced abortion is not caused by

poverty to any extent.

Table 4.1.9

Increase abortion in LASU can be traceable to what?

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Parental fault 46 32.9 32.9 32.9
Low standard of 52 37.1 37.1 70.0
Valid living
Students’ fault 42 30.0 30.0 100.0
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.9 analyze the response of the respondents, it shows that 46 respondents representing

32.9% agreed that Increase abortion in LASU can be traceable to parental fault, 52 respondents

representing 37.1% suggest it due to low standard of living, 42 respondents representing 30.0%

said its students’ fault.

Table 4.1.10

Which of the following would you identify as the cause(s) of induced abortion?

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative

Percent
Valid unwanted 39 27.9 27.9 27.9
pregnancy
pregnancy as a 36 25.7 25.7 53.6
result of sexual
violence
medical reasons 28 20.0 20.0 73.6
premarital sex 25 17.9 17.9 91.4
 Others 12 8.6 8.6 100.0
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.10 analyze the response of the respondents, it shows that 39 respondents representing

27.9% said unwanted pregnancy caused induced abortion, 36 respondents representing 25.7%

said its sexual violence, 28 respondents representing 20.0% is due to medical reasons, 25

respondents representing 17.9% is caused by premarital sex and 12 respondents representing

8.6% said it other factor that may cause the induced abortion.

Table 4.1.11

Do you think restrictive laws on abortion a reason for engaging in induced

abortion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Yes 76 54.3 54.3 54.3
Valid No 64 45.7 45.7 100.0
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.11 analyze the response of the respondents, it shows that 76 respondents representing

32.9% agreed that restrictive laws on abortion a reason for engaging in induced abortion and 64

respondents representing 45.7% disagreed.

Table 4.1.12

Social reasons for student’s engagement in induced abortion include which

of the following
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid To avoid 45 32.1 32.1 32.1
stigmatization
Religious reasons 22 15.7 15.7 47.9
 impact on 31 22.1 22.1 70.0
education
cultural values 24 17.1 17.1 87.1
effect on social 18 12.9 12.9 100.0
life
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.12 analyze the response of the respondents, it shows that 45 respondents representing

32.1% suggest that to avoid stigmatization is the reasons for student’s engagement in induced

abortion, 22 respondents representing 15.7% argue that religious reasons is the reason, 31

respondents representing 22.1% argue that it is impact on education, 24 respondents representing

17.1% argue that it is cultural values and 18 respondents representing 12.9% argue that it is the

effect on social life.

Table 4.1.13

Abortion among undergraduate is usually influence by which of the following?

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative

Percent
47 33.6 33.6 33.6
Poor sex education

peer pressure 19 13.6 13.6 47.1

Denial of 27 19.3 19.3 66.4
responsibility from
Valid sexual partner
Financial burden 29 20.7 20.7 87.1
quest for 18 12.9 12.9 100.0
Employment
opportunities
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.
Table 4.1.13 analyze the response of the respondents, it shows that 47 respondents representing

33.6% accept that abortion is influenced by poor sex education, 19 respondents representing

13.6% argue that it is peer pressure, 27 respondents representing 19.3% argue that it is denial of

responsibility from sexual partner, 29 respondents representing 20.7% opine that its financial

burden and 18 respondents representing 12.9% argue that it is quest for employment

opportunities that influence abortion.

Table 4.1.14

Do you think restrictive laws on abortion a reason for engaging in induced

abortion?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Yes 76 54.3 54.3 54.3
Valid No 64 45.7 45.7 100.0
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.14 analyze the response of the respondents, it shows that 76 respondents representing

54.3% strongly agreed that restrictive laws on abortion a reason for engaging in induced

abortion, and 64 respondents representing 45.7% argue that restrictive laws on abortion is not a

reason for engaging in induced abortion .

Table 4.1.15

Economic consequence of induced abortion relates to which of the following?

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative

Percent
Valid Cost of treating 49 35.0 35.0 35.0
complication
 Indirect cost or 48 34.3 34.3 69.3
project
Loss of productive 43 30.7 30.7 100.0
time of caregivers
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.15 analyze the response of the respondents, it shows that 49 respondents representing

35.0% accept that cost of treating complication is an economic consequence of induced abortion,

48 respondents representing 34.3% suggest it is the indirect cost or project and 43 respondents

representing argue that it is loss of productive time of caregivers

Table 4.1.16

Consequences of induced abortion could also be socially felt in which of the

following way?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Stigmatization 36 25.7 25.7 25.7
Strain on 34 24.3 24.3 50.0
relationship
negative impact of 27 19.3 19.3 69.3
Valid ill health or death
on family
feeling of guilt and 43 30.8 30.8 100.0
shame
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.16 analyze the response of the respondents, it shows that 36 respondents representing

25.7% argue that stigmatization, 34 respondents representing 24.3% suggest that strain on

relationship is the consequences of induced abortion, 27 respondents representing 19.3% suggest

that it negative impact of ill health or death on family, however, 43 respondents representing

30.8% argue that feeling of guilt and shame is the consequence of induced abortion.
Table 4.1.17

Student aborts their pregnancy largely because it will affect their academic
performance
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Yes 96 68.6 68.6 68.6
Valid No 44 31.4 31.4 100.0
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.16 analyze the response of the respondents, it shows that 96 respondents representing

68.6% agreed that students aborts their pregnancy because it will affect their academic

performance and 44 respondents representing 31.4% disagreed.

Table 4.1.18

What is the academic performance of any Pregnant student that you know?

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative

Percent
Fair 76 54.3 54.3 54.3
Good 44 31.4 31.4 85.7
Valid
Outstanding 20 14.3 14.3 100.0
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.18 analyze the response of the respondents, it shows that 76 respondents representing

54.3% acknowledge that the academic performance of any pregnant student will only be fair, 44

respondents representing 31.4% suggest it to be good only, 20 respondents representing 21.4%

argue that it will be outstanding.

Table 4.1.19

Student ought to abort their pregnancy, so it won’t affect their academic

performance
 Frequency Percent Valid Cumulative
Percent Percent
Yes, I agree 32 22.9 22.9 22.9
No, I disagree 78 55.7 55.7 78.6
Depending on the 30 21.4 21.4 100.0
Valid
students level of
intelligence
Total 140 100.0 100.0
Source: Researcher’s field survey, 2022.

Table 4.1.19 analyze the response of the respondents, it shows that 32 respondents representing

22.9% strongly agreed that Student ought to abort their pregnancy, so it won’t affect their

academic performance, 78 respondents representing 55.7% disagreed, and 30 respondents

representing 21.4% argue that depending on the students level of intelligence

4.2 Result

Table 4.2.1

Model Summary
Model R R Square Adjusted R Std. Error of
Square the Estimate
1 .721 a
.520 .516 1.56479

a. Predictors: (Constant), Poverty , Societal Attitudes ,

Educational Attainment

Source: Researcher’s Computation (June, 2022).

Table 4.2.1 shows the coefficient of determination that explains the extent to which changes in

the dependent variable can be explained by the change in the independent variables or the

percentage of variation in the dependent variable (Female Undergraduate Graduate) that is

explained by all the three independent variables (Poverty , Societal Attitudes , Educational
Attainment). The three independent variables that were studied, explain 52.0% of variance to

investigate the effect of' the socio economic determinant of induced abortion among

undergraduate student as represented by the R Square value. This consequently means that other

factors not studied in this research contribute 48.0% of variance in the dependent variable.

Therefore, further research should be conducted to investigate the effect of the socio economic

determinant of induced abortion among undergraduate student.

Table 4.2.2

ANOVAa
Model Sum of df Mean Square F Sig.
Squares
Regression 944.287 3 314.762 128.550 .000b
1 Residual 871.688 356 2.449
Total 1815.975 359

a. Dependent Variable: Undergraduate students

b. Predictors: (Constant), Poverty , Societal Attitudes , Educational Attainment

Source: Researcher’s Computation (June, 2022).

The F critical value at 5% level of significance was 128.550, this shows that the overall model

was significant. The significance (.000) is less than 0.05, thus indicating that the predictor

variables (Poverty, Societal Attitudes, Educational Attainment), explain the variation in the

dependent variable (Undergraduate Student). If the significance value of F was larger than 0.05

then the independent variables would not explain the variation in the dependent variable.

Table 4.2.3

Coefficientsa
Model Unstandardized Standardized t Sig.
Coefficients Coefficients
B Std. Error Beta
(Constant) .840 .313 2.689 .008
Poverty .235 .042 .293 5.668 .000
1 Societal .217 .042 .265 5.158 .000
Attitudes
Educational .209 .041 .270 5.162 .000
Attainment

a. Dependent Variable: Undergraduate Students

Source: Researcher’s Computation (June, 2022).

The model describing the relationship between the dependent and independent variable is:

(UGS = 0.840 + 0.20EA + 0.217SA + 0.235P)

Where:

UGS= Undergraduate students

β0= Regression coefficient of the constant

EA= Educational Attainment

SA = Societal Attitudes

P= Poverty

According to the equation, taking all factors constant at zero, overall undergraduate students will

be 0.008. The data findings also show that a unit increase in Educational Attainment will lead to

0.209 increase in undergraduate students; a unit increase in Societal Attitudes will lead to 0.217
increase in undergraduate students; a unit increase in Poverty will lead to 0.235 increase in

undergraduate students. This result shows that Poverty contributes more to undergraduate

students than other variables considered in this study. Consequently, it is observed that all the

three independent variables are significant with their significant values below 0.05. This is an

indication that all the variables are significant.

4.3 Interpretation of Results

The relevant hypotheses were tested using multiple regression model with least square method.
The stated hypotheses are:

Hypothesis I

H0: There is no significant relationship between Poverty and induced abortion among

undergraduate students.

Decision Rule: The coefficient table shows that Poverty and undergraduate students with

significant value of 0.000 is statistically significant which denote that we reject null hypothesis

and conclude that there is significant relationship between Poverty and induced abortion among

undergraduate students.

Hypothesis II

H0: Societal Attitudes has no significant effect on induced abortion among undergraduate

students

Decision Rule: The coefficient table shows that Societal Attitudes and undergraduate students

with significant value of 0.000 is statistically significant which denote that we reject null
hypothesis and conclude that Societal Attitudes has a significant effect on undergraduate

students.

Hypothesis III

H0: There is no significant relationship between Educational Attainment and induced abortion

among undergraduate students

Decision Rule: The coefficient table shows that Educational Attainment and undergraduate

students with significant value of 0.000 is statistically significant which denote that we reject

null hypothesis and conclude that there is a significant relationship between Educational

Attainment and induced abortion among undergraduate students.

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary

This research attempted to explore the socio economic determinant of induced abortion among

undergraduate student particular LASU. The result of the study shows that there is significant

relation between socio economic determinant and induced abortion among undergraduate

student. By seeing these results we have analyzed the hypotheses.

Hypothesis one: There is no significant relationship between Poverty and induced abortion

among undergraduate students is within the a priori expectation as effect of poverty is a socia

economic determinant of induced abortion among undergraduate students as evidenced from the

regression coefficient of 0.000

Hypothesis two: As analyzed from the parameter estimates of the coefficients of Societal

Attitudes has no significant effect on induced abortion among undergraduate students in table

4.12 with t-statistics of 5.158 indicated the rejection of H02 as p-value of 0.000 < α=0.05 level of

significance thereby resulting to the conclusion that Societal Attitudes has a significant effect on

undergraduate students induced abortion

Hypothesis Three: There is no significant relationship between Educational Attainment and

induced abortion among undergraduate students. Parameter estimate of Educational Attainment

and induced abortion among undergraduate students on table 4.12 with t-statistic of 5.162 with

an associated p-value of 0.0000 < α = 0.05 indicates the rejection of H01 and we thereby conclude

that there is a significant relationship between Educational Attainment and induced abortion

among undergraduate students.

This study finds that educational attainment, poverty and societal attitudes has a significant effect

on induced abortion with the risk of induced abortion being considerably higher for educated
women compared with women without formal education. However, the relationship between

these variables seems to be curvilinear where the highest risk is among women with primary

education while the risk attenuates for women with secondary or higher educational attainment

(Dickson & Adde, 2018), albeit the risk is still higher compared to women without formal

education. This may be explained by the need for women to graduate from school and marry

before giving birth mainly due to the heavy investments in their education. Consequently, many

women in school in LASU may rather resort to induced abortion when they have an unintended

pregnancy than to extremely disappoint their family with this pregnancy. This may, however, not

be the case for women without formal education who may conceive and give birth anytime being

it intended or unintended.

5.2 Conclusion

The prevalence of unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion was high among female

undergraduates. This was irrespective of marital status. Although there were some cases of

unwanted pregnancy among the married students, induced abortion was more during the engaged

period. Outlawing abortions is not likely to be an obvious opinion of a large majority of

Nigerians even though a large proportion would procure unsafe abortion when faced with an

unwanted pregnancy. The desire to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy remains the main thrust of

unsafe abortion in most parts of Nigeria. In the present circumstance, induced abortion cannot be

made safe by law. Improving contraceptive awareness and usage will reduce unwanted

pregnancy and unsafe abortion. This appears next to total abstinence in reducing the morbidity

and mortality from induced abortion.

5.3 Recommendations
Based on the conclusion, the discussions and the conclusion drawn so far, the study makes the

following recommendations. The study recommends that:

i. The issue of abortion should be seen as a very critical issue that should be treated

with utmost importance. In this wise, one would expect that the government would

make available means by which induced abortion could be effectively handled. This

becomes necessary so as to safeguard the life of the individual involved

ii. Individuals indulging in abortion practice should endeavour to ensure that necessary

measures are taken to avoid negative health effect that may follow such action

iii. The task for policymakers, nongovernmental organizations, community and opinion

leaders, health professional bodies, and family planning service providers is to

develop more effective strategies to curb this problem

iv. Reproductive health education schemes need to focus more on undergraduate

females. More robust studies especially comparative would also be helpful

5.4 References

Abdullai, U. U (2012). An assessment of the role of marketing in Nigerian banking sector

(Unpublished M.Sc. seminar paper) Presented to the Department of Business
Administration, Kogi State University, Anyigha.
Agbe, N.H (1999). Fundamentals of research exporting in education: A practical approach.
Lagos: Hawits Press.
Alimson, A. (2017). Perceptions of sexual behaviours and knowledge about pregnancy
termination among adolescents in selected states in Nigeria. Family Planning and
Reproductive health, 25 (4)

Asika, N.O (1991). Research methodology in the behavioral sciences. Ibadan: Longman (Nig)
Plc.
Bankole, T. A., & Adebayo, F. M. (1999). Youths and abortion, issue in Nigeria. Paper presented
at a one-day workshop organized by health. Review journal in conjunction with Lagos
State Ministry of Health.

Barreto, T. (1992). Some aspects of the adolescent Sexual behaviour in Ife. Psychology Journal,
7(2), 128 – 138.

Barreto, T. (2015). Investigating induced abortion in developing countries: Methods and

problems. Studies in family planning , 23 (3): 159-170.

Edijah, K. (1999). Prevalence and characteristics of women with abortion. Journal Human
Growth Development, 4(3).

Ehrenfeld, R. (2019). Prevalence and factors associated with abortion and unsafe abortion in
Nepal: a nationwide cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnant Childbirth; 18:37

Elu, R. (2018). Socio–economic determinants of abortion among women in Mozambique and

Ghana: evidence from demographic and health survey. Arch Publication Health.

Fagbemi, S. M. (2001). Abortion incidence and prevalence: Community Heath Review; 4,10-14

George, C. (2018). Legal issue of abortion and empirical evidence available. The week
International Newspaper

Gluion, S. (1985). The history of abortion. Retrieved from www.abortioninfo.net.

Henshaw, S. K., Singh, S., & Haas, T. (2019). “The incidence of abortion worldwide”.
International family planning perspective,25, 30-38.

Kipkebut, D. J. (2010). Human resource management practices and organizational commitment

in higher educational institutions: A Kenyan case. IUP Journal of Organizational
Behavior 9(2), 1-10.

Knight, K. (2018). The Physical Effect of Abortion. The catholic encyclopaedia in Charles
coppers (1913) 1, 1-4

Kothari, C. R. (2011). Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New Delhi: New Age
international publications.

Luo, G.P, Wu, E., Chen , X.J., & Li, X.M. (2019). Prevalence and associated factors of induced
abortion among rural married women: a cross-sectional survey in Anhui, China Journal
Obstet and Gynaecol Res, 41(3), 383–391.

Makinwa, A., T. (1997). Attitudes Towards Abortion; A comparative study of male and female
students in secondary and tertiary institutions. Nigerian Journal of Medicine. 5 (1): 14-
17
Mpangile, R. Lesahabari, E., Kihhwele, R. (2019). Factors associated with induced abortion at
selected hospitals in the Volta region”, Ghana. International Journal Women’s Health,;6:
809–16.

Nsini,A. Udo. J. (2013). Qualitative inquiry & research design: choosing among five
approaches. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications

Omo-Aghoja, E, Okonofua, R., Aghedo, R., Umueri, T., Otayohwo, E, Feyi-Waboso, W., &
Esume, F. (2019). Key determinants of induced abortion in women seeking postabortion
care in hospital facilities in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso International Journal Women’s
Health.

Osinachi., I. (2017). Abortion related maternal mortality in Lagos, Nigeria. Tropical Journal of
Obstetrics and Gyanaecology ,14, 13-41

Osualaa, N.W (1991). Research methodology in the behavioral sciences. Ibadan: Longman (Nig)
Plc.

Saka, N. (2001). Community-based survey of unwanted pregnancy in Southwestern Nigeria. Afr

J Reproduction Health ;8:103-105.

Singh S, Remez L, Sedgh G, Kwok L, Onda T.(2009). Abortion Worldwide 2008: Uneven
Progress and Unequal Access. New York: Guttmacher Institute.

5.4 Appendices

1. What is your sex?

a. Male
b. Female
2. How old are you at your last birthday?
3. What is your marital status?
a. Single
b. Engaged
c. Married
4. What is your ethnic group?
a. Yoruba
b. Igbo
c. Hausa
5. What level are you?
a. 100
b. 200
c. 300
 d. 400
e. 500
6. What is your religion affiliation?
a. Christianity
b. Islam
c. African Tradition
7. What do you understand by the term abortion?
a. Termination of unwanted pregnancy
b. Removal of fetus before maturity
c. Dilation of the cervix
8. To what extent did you think induced poverty is caused by poverty?
a. Large extent
b. Little extent
c. Extreme extent
d. No extent
9. Increase abortion in LASU can be traceable to what?
a. Parental fault
b. Low standard of living
c. Students’ fault
10. Are you aware that induced abortion contribute to poverty?
a. Yes
b. No
11. Do you know of any recently?
a. Yes
b. No
12. If yes, specify how long?
a. less than a week
b. Less than a month
c. 1-3 months ago
d. Past 3 month and above
13. Which of the following would you identify as the cause(s) of induced abortion?
a. Unwanted pregnancy
b. Pregnancy as a result of sexual violence
c. Medical reasons
d. Premarital sex
e. Others specify________
14. Do you think restrictive laws on abortion a reason for engaging in induced abortion?
a. Yes
b. No
15. Social reasons for student’s engagement in induced abortion include which of the
following?
 a. To avoid stigmatization
b. Religious reasons
c. Impact on education
d. Cultural values
e. Effect on social life
f. Others specify________
16. Abortion among undergraduate is usually influence by which of the following?
a. Poor sex education
b. Peer pressure
c. Denial of responsibility from sexual partner
d. Financial burden
e. Quest for employment opportunities
17. Majority of women who seek abortion are highly supportive by the society?
a. Yes
b. No
18. Economic consequence of induced abortion relates to which of the following?
a. Cost of treating complication
b. Indirect cost or project
c. Loss of productive time of caregivers
19. Consequences of induced abortion could also be socially felt in which of the following
way?
a. Stigmatization
b. Strain on relationship
c. Negative impact of ill health or death on family
d. Feeling of guilt and shame
20. Student aborts their pregnancy largely because it will affect their academic performance?
a. Yes
b. No
21. Do you know of any recently?
a. Yes
b. No
22. If yes, specify how long?
a. Less than a week
b. Less than a month
c. 1-3 months ago
d. Past 3 month and above
23. What is the academic performance of any pregnant student that you know?
a. Fair
b. Good
c. Outstanding
24. Student ought to abort their pregnancy, so it won’t affect their academic performance?
a. Yes, I agree
b. No, I disagree
c. Depending on the students level of intelligence