Gender Norms and Attitude Towards Abortion Among Very Young Adolescents in Kenya and Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Unsafe abortion is a major cause of death in sub-Saharan African countries with very young adolescents (VYAs) at increased risk due to their high vulnerability to unprotected sex and unplanned pregnancies. Abortion beliefs and attitudes are considered to be partly rooted in traditional views on gender and religious influences. This study is informed by the limited data on gender norm perception and its association with abortion among VYAs despite the increasing prevalence of unsafe abortion reported among this group. Materials: Data for this study was collected as part of a longitudinal survey on the gendered socialization and sexual and reproductive health of very young, in-school adolescents aged 10-14 years in Kenya and Nigeria. The study obtained quantitative data from 1,912 VYAs using a structured questionnaire. The results presented in this paper are from the quantitative baseline data collected in Kenya and Nigeria Result: The study found significant regional differentials in attitudes toward abortion and gender norm perception of the VYAs from the two regions. VYAs from Nigeria were more likely to endorse abortion practices relative to their counterparts from Kenya. Factors associated with endorsement of abortion practice were gender norms about Sexual Double Standards (SDS) and Normative Heterosexual Relation (NHR) in Nigeria and knowledge of where to get a condom, NHR, and Normative Romantic Relationship (NRR) in Kenya. Conclusion: Intervention efforts seeking to promote positive gender norms and attitudes towards SRH must begin with the VYAs and must consider regional variations and address knowledge and access to SRH commodities.