Knowledge of and attitudes towards abortion among adolescents in Lao PDR.
Abortion, Induced
/ psychology
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
/ psychology
Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Literacy
/ statistics & numerical data
Health Personnel
/ psychology
Humans
Laos
Male
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Unwanted
/ psychology
Reproductive Health
Schools
Sexual Behavior
/ psychology
Students
/ psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult
Adolescence
LEARN: Sexual Reproductive Health, ANC and Nutrition
Lao PDR
abortion
attitude
knowledge
Journal
Global health action
ISSN: 1654-9880
Titre abrégé: Glob Health Action
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101496665
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
07 2020
07 2020
Historique:
entrez:
4
8
2020
pubmed:
4
8
2020
medline:
9
3
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Adolescents are at high risk of unintended pregnancy and consequent unsafe abortion. Evidence from Lao PDR suggests a high but underreported prevalence of induced abortion, especially amongst adolescents. Research suggests adolescents are less likely to have an unsafe abortion when they have accurate knowledge about abortion and hold positive attitudes towards abortion. The purpose of this study was to investigate awareness and attitudes towards abortion and associated factors in Lao PDR. This study used a descriptive, cross-sectional design. The study was conducted between January and May 2019 in two different provinces within Lao PDR, namely, Khammouane and Champasack provinces. Participants included in- and out-of-school male and female adolescents (n = 800). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and entered into the EPI Data version 3.1. All analysis was undertaken using STATA v.13. Univariate analysis and frequency distributions were used to study the pattern of responses and bivariate descriptive analysis to report attitudes and knowledge by participant characteristics. The association between participant characteristics and overall scores of attitudes towards abortion was evaluated using multiple logistic regression. Most respondents (78.8%) were aware of the processes and potential consequences of becoming pregnant at a young age. One-third of respondents (31.5%), were aware of induced abortion. Of those, only 12.1% held positive attitudes towards induced abortion. Factors associated with positive attitudes towards abortion were ethnicity, mother's education and ever having had sex. In the case of unintended or unwanted pregnancy, adolescents must also have adequate knowledge and access to safe abortion and associated counselling services. This study suggests a need to increase sexual and reproductive health literacy including information about safe abortion. This requires a holistic approach to sexual education and needs the support and involvement of adolescents themselves as well as parents, community members and healthcare workers.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Adolescents are at high risk of unintended pregnancy and consequent unsafe abortion. Evidence from Lao PDR suggests a high but underreported prevalence of induced abortion, especially amongst adolescents. Research suggests adolescents are less likely to have an unsafe abortion when they have accurate knowledge about abortion and hold positive attitudes towards abortion.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate awareness and attitudes towards abortion and associated factors in Lao PDR.
METHODS
This study used a descriptive, cross-sectional design. The study was conducted between January and May 2019 in two different provinces within Lao PDR, namely, Khammouane and Champasack provinces. Participants included in- and out-of-school male and female adolescents (n = 800). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and entered into the EPI Data version 3.1. All analysis was undertaken using STATA v.13. Univariate analysis and frequency distributions were used to study the pattern of responses and bivariate descriptive analysis to report attitudes and knowledge by participant characteristics. The association between participant characteristics and overall scores of attitudes towards abortion was evaluated using multiple logistic regression.
FINDINGS
Most respondents (78.8%) were aware of the processes and potential consequences of becoming pregnant at a young age. One-third of respondents (31.5%), were aware of induced abortion. Of those, only 12.1% held positive attitudes towards induced abortion. Factors associated with positive attitudes towards abortion were ethnicity, mother's education and ever having had sex.
CONCLUSION
In the case of unintended or unwanted pregnancy, adolescents must also have adequate knowledge and access to safe abortion and associated counselling services. This study suggests a need to increase sexual and reproductive health literacy including information about safe abortion. This requires a holistic approach to sexual education and needs the support and involvement of adolescents themselves as well as parents, community members and healthcare workers.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32741348
doi: 10.1080/16549716.2020.1791413
pmc: PMC7480451
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
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