Abstract

The knowledge and perception of abortion has highly influenced the choice to undergo selfinduced
abortion. The identified outcomes of which have continued to increase maternal
morbidity and mortality. This is to say self-induced abortions which are mostly done by
unsafe methods apart from claiming lives, often result in serious health problems. The main
purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge on factors and perception of females’
medical student on self-induced abortion. This was a cross-sectional study. About 185
females’ medical students participated and filled self-administered questionnaire following
their consent to participate in the study. Data collected were entered into excel spread sheet
and analysed with the help of excel. Results were presented on tables. Out of 185 participants,
165(89.2%) said unsafe abortion is abortion done by inflicting trauma, 185(100%) agreed that
comprehensive abortion should be done by medical practitioner, 185(100%) said abortion can
lead to death, infertility and psychological trauma. 66(35.7%) responded that abortion is safe
at any age while 119(64.3%) said no, it is not safe at any age. 54(29.2%) said abortion can be
done anywhere as long as drug is available while 131(70.8%) responded no, 172(92.9%) said
abortion is right of every female in Uganda while 13(7.0%) disagreed. Also, 185 (100%) said
pregnancy caused by raped as one of the factors triggering self-induced abortion, stigma
178(96.2%), fear of forced marriage 168(90.8%), fear of responsibility and denial by father
150(81.1%) and desire to finished school 110(59.5%). Response of participants on perception
of female students on self-induced abortion. 139(75.1%) said abortion should be permitted,
151(81.6%) believe contraceptives used can reduced abortion incidence, 157(84.9%) blamed
inadequate sex education for self-induced abortion. 131(70.8%) believed free access to
abortion care can reduced mortality or morbidity related to abortion complications. 149(80.5%)
said marriage can reduce self-induced abortion, 70(37.8%) said friends should be advised to
go for abortion to avoid unplanned pregnancy while 36(19.5%) said abortion is for family
planning and 149(80.5%) disagreed that it is not a form of planning a family. This study concludes that the females’ folks have knowledge on self-induced abortion however, their perception shows abortion should be the right of every female and not only on medical basis.