Abortion and its correlates among female fisherfolk along Lake Victoria in Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: In Uganda, people living in fishing communities tend to engage in high-risk sexual activity which leads to unintended pregnancies that may end in abortions. Abortion has negative social, psychological, and medical impacts. We determined the frequency of abortion and its correlates among female fisher-folk along Lake Victoria in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among women aged 15– 49 years from Kigungu and Nsazi fishing communities. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, abortion, and family planning use. Associations between abortion and participant characteristics were assessed using logistic regression models. Results: Of the 713 women interviewed, 36, 5% were pregnant and 247, 34.6 % were using contraception. Majority (600, 84.2%) of those interviewed reported ever being pregnant. Approximately 45% of the pregnancies were un-intended while a third of those who had ever been pregnant (195, 32.5%) reported having aborted before. Slightly over a third (247, 34.6%) reported currently using or ever using family planning. Women aged 30+ years were more likely to abort compared to those aged 15-29 years (aOR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.23-5.91). Women who had living children were less likely to abort compared to those who didn’t have any living child (aOR: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01 – 0.17). Conclusion: The rate of abortion among female fisher-folk in Uganda is substantial. Family planning use is still low and unintended pregnancies are common. Abortion risk increased with the age of the mother. Continuous behavioral change communication and optimization of family planning use are recommended to reduce abortions.

Lived experiences and drivers of induced abortion among women in central Uganda

“…A 2013 study estimated an abortion rate of 39 per 1,000 women of reproductive age (WRA) in Uganda [12], although recent modelling estimates have shown even higher figures (43 per 1000 WRA) [13]. The high nationally and sub populations rates of abortion [14] are not surprising given the rise in unintended pregnancy rates [11]. Abortion in Uganda is only allowed in specific cases such as severe maternal illness threatening the health of pregnant woman, HIV positive women requesting termination, rape, incest and defilement [15].…”

The Prevalence and Factors Associated With Induced Abortion Among Patients Attending the Maternity Department at Kitebi Health Centre Iii in Kampala DISTRICT.A Cross-Sectional Study.

“…Studies have suggested a possible link between induced abortion and intrauterine adhesion. (Ajayi, et al, 2022) Abortion is one of the main contributors to the high maternal mortality in Uganda (Nanvubya, et al, 2021). An abortion rate of 39 per 1,000 women aged between 15 and 49 years was reported in 2013 in Uganda representing approximately 314,300 abortions (Nanvubya, et al, 2021).…”

“…(Ajayi, et al, 2022) Abortion is one of the main contributors to the high maternal mortality in Uganda (Nanvubya, et al, 2021). An abortion rate of 39 per 1,000 women aged between 15 and 49 years was reported in 2013 in Uganda representing approximately 314,300 abortions (Nanvubya, et al, 2021). The Ugandan abortion rate was slightly higher than the estimated rate for the East African region at 34 per 1,000 women between 2010 and 2014.…”

“…The Ugandan abortion rate was slightly higher than the estimated rate for the East African region at 34 per 1,000 women between 2010 and 2014. In 2013, approximately 128,682 women were treated for abortion complications up from 110,000 in 2003 (Nanvubya, et al, 2021). The injuries and illnesses resulting from unsafe abortion place a huge healthcare burden and remain a critical challenge for the Ugandan healthcare system, which is already burdened with other morbidities (Nanvubya, et al, 2021) The above background, therefore, forms the basis of my research titled ''The Prevalence and Factors associated with abortion among Patients Attending Maternity Department at Kitebi Health Centre iii in Kampala District'' This will help the maternity department at the Health Centre, relevant health authorities, and the country at large to obtain information that can be essential in planning service delivery and allocation of resources.…”