Unsafe abortion is a significant cause of death and ill health. The World Health Organisation, WHO, defines unsafe abortion as a procedure for terminating an unintended pregnancy carried out either by persons lacking the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards, or both. An unsafe abortion has gained more attention recently as an important and preventable cause of maternal mortality and morbidity.
Two fundamental factors that underlie unsafe abortion are poor access to safe and legal abortion services, and unintended pregnancy, half of these ended as induced abortions.
Consequences of unsafe abortion vary depending on the context and the environment, reflecting to existing conditions of abortion provision, safety and legality. It is common to find that women who are financially better-off are able to obtain safe, clandestine abortion procedures because they can afford the services of a trained provider, while poor women and other disadvantaged groups such as adolescents and women in rural areas will often go to providers who lack formal training, or attempt to induce the abortion themselves, resulting in health complications and sometimes leads to death.
Sexual assault (rape) and child sexual abuse is a rapidly growing problem in many areas of the world and may result in unwanted pregnancies that lead to abortion. Induced abortion involves risks. Repeated abortion by dilation and curettage, for instance, weakens and damages the cervix. This often leads to premature delivery or spontaneous abortion in subsequent pregnancies. Again, the cavity of the uterus may be damaged leading to the formation of scar tissue and consequently secondary infertility. Even when the abortion is procured by suction, the womb may be displace from its natural position. When the womb is not in its proper position, conception may take place in the fallopian tube but the zygote cannot be nourished by the wall of the uterus. As a result of this, the zygote dies away. In some women, frequent abdominal pain occurs. Abdominal pains are not conducive for pregnancy and miscarriage may occur. In the case of some young girls it is even worst. Some of them also suffers from psychological disturbances and attracts aspersions too.
All things being equal, if a society develops a very restrictive policy on abortion, some women would be threatened by the continuation of pregnancy against their wish, the child would thereafter place a great economic and psychological burdens on the family in particular, and the society as a whole. Most at times, the career of some women would be in jeopardy and this may lead to having infants who will be physically and mentally misbalance or damage.
Law reform in Nigeria is a slow process. Slower on issues on abortion that is very controversial and sensitive. Induced abortion in Nigeria is illegal and carries a heavy jail sentence-up to 14 years imprisonment unless it is performed to save the life of the pregnant woman.
The abortion policy in Nigeria must be softened and abortion permitted not only to save the life of the pregnant women but also To preserve physical health: when the practitioner is of the opinion that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk or grave injury to her physical health.
Due to unsound mind of the pregnant woman, she is incapable of taking care of an infant, Available on request: up to the eighth week of pregnancy, an abortion should be performing at the request of the pregnant woman by a medical practitioner or person under his or her supervision in any setting.
Though abortion is not an option for women, theirs need for them to have a loving and caring society that will motivate them on how important the baby is for both her and the society, and also to provide a free maternal health care center in societies for free and no harassment should be tolerated from doctors, nurses and patients.
Naomi N. Ishaya,
Department of Mass Communication,
University of Maiduguri
