Abortion Legalization and Its Impact on Sexual Practices of Youths: A Study of FCT Residents
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The primary objective of this study is to examine and analyse abortion legalization and its impact on the sexual practices of youths: a study of FCT residents. Other objectives of this study are:
- To review arguments for the legalization of abortion.
- To examine the perception of college female students on the legalization of abortion.
- To investigate the outcome of abortion legalization on the sexual practices of youths.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
Precisely, the chapter will be considered in three sub-headings:
Conceptual Framework
Theoretical Framework and
Empirical Reviewof Related Literature
Concept of Abortion
Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus. An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or “spontaneous abortion” and occurs in approximately 30% to 40% of pregnancies. When deliberate steps are taken to end a pregnancy, it is called an induced abortion, or less frequently “induced miscarriage”. The unmodified word abortion generally refers to an induced abortion (Henshaw, 1990).
When properly done, abortion is one of the safest procedures in medicine, but unsafe abortion is a major cause of maternal death, especially in the developing world. Making safe abortion legal and accessible reduces maternal deaths. It is safer than childbirth, which has a 14 times higher risk of death in the United States.
Hosie, (2007) noted that modern methods use medication or surgery for abortions. The drug mifepristone in combination with prostaglandin appears to be as safe and effective as surgery during the first and second trimester of pregnancy. The most common surgical technique involves dilating the cervix and using a suction device. Birth control, such as the pill or intrauterine devices, can be used immediately following abortion. When performed legally and safely on a woman who desires it, induced abortions do not increase the risk of long-term mental or physical problems. In contrast, unsafe abortions (those performed by unskilled individuals, with hazardous equipment, or in unsanitary facilities) cause 47,000 deaths and 5 million hospital admissions each year. The World Health Organization recommends safe and legal abortions be available to all women (Sani, & Philips, 2004).
Around 56 million abortions are performed each year in the world,with about 45% done unsafely. Abortion rates changed little between 2003 and 2008, before which they decreased for at least two decades as access to family planning and birth control increased. As of 2018, 37% of the world’s women had access to legal abortions without limits as to reason. Countries that permit abortions have different limits on how late in pregnancy abortion is allowed (Truffers, 2003).
Historically, abortions have been attempted using herbal medicines, sharp tools, forceful massage, or through other traditional methods. Abortion laws and cultural or religious views of abortions are different around the world. In some areas abortion is legal only in specific cases such as rape, problems with the fetus, poverty, risk to a woman’s health, or incest. There is debate over the moral, ethical, and legal issues of abortion.Those who oppose abortion often argue that an embryo or fetus is a human with a right to life, and they may compare abortion to murder. Those who support the legality of abortion often hold that it is part of a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body. Others favor legal and accessible abortion as a public health measure (Ordinioha, & Owhonda 2008).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
 In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
 According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
 This study was carried out to assess and analyse abortion legalization and its impact on sexual practices of youths: a study of FCT residents. Selected residents of the Federal Capital Territory form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of two hundred and sixty-six (266) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only two hundred and fifty-nine (259) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 259 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings into abortion legalization and its impact on sexual practices of youths: a study of FCT residents. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
Summary of the Study
In this study, our focus was to examine abortion legalization and its impact on sexual practices of youths: a study of FCT residents. The study specifically was aimed at reviewing arguments for the legalization of abortion, examining the perception of college female students on the legalization of abortion and, investigate the outcome of abortion legalization on the sexual practices of youths. The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 259 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents are residents of FCT residents.
Conclusions
Based on the findings of this study, the researcher made the following conclusion.
- The arguments for the legalization of abortionare:
- Criminalization of abortion does not dissuade women from having abortions,
- Criminalization of abortion violates the fundamental human rights of women and girls
- Criminalization of abortion causes women to resort to unsafe abortion methods,
- Criminalization of abortion increases mortality and health complications caused by unsafe abortions and
- Criminalization of abortion negatively impacts access to legal abortions.
- The perception of college female students on abortion legalizationare:
- Safe abortion is legally allowed if the pregnancy is the result of incest,
- Safe abortion is legally allowed for all types of pregnancy,
- Safe abortion is legally allowed if the pregnancy is the result of rape and
- Safe abortion is legally if continuation of the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother or the child
- The effect of abortion on the sexual practices among youthsare:
- Abortion legalization generates incentives leading to an increase in sexual activity,
- It leads to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and
- Leads to physical, psychological, and social benefits of legal abortion to women, children, and families
Recommendations
In regard to the findings of the study, the researcher recommends that;
- Abortion though legalized, should be fully regulated
- Youths should be made aware of the dangers of abortion
REFERENCES
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- Cooks RJ, Dickens BM, Bliss LE. 1999. International developments in abortion laws from 1988–1998. American Journal of Public Health 89:579–586.
- Dawan, H. (2008). Teenage pregnancies higher in India than ever. UK, US: The     Economic Times.
- Faúndes A, Barzelatto JS. 2006. Consequences of unsafe abortion. The human drama of abortion. Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press. p 35.
- Grunseit, A. (2007). Impact on HIV and Sexual Health Education: Sexual Behaviour of Young People. A Review Update. Geneva: UNAIDS Publication.
- Hamilton, B.E. & Ventura, S.J. (2012). Birth rates for U.S. Teenagers rench historic lows for all age and ethics groups. USA. Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention Press.
- Henshaw SK, Singh S, Haas T. 1999. The incidence of abortion worldwide. International Family Planning Perspectives 24:30–38.
- Henshaw SK, Singh S, Oye-Adeniran BA, Adewole IF, Iwere N, Cuca YP. 1998. The incidence of induced abortion in Nigeria. International Family Planning Perspectives 24:156–164.
- Henshaw SK. 1990. Induced abortion: a world review. Family Planning Perspectives 22:76–89.
