The contribution of anti-abortion law on maternal mortality: A case study in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Abortion in Nigeria has been controversial, and both the proponents (protagonists) and opponents (antagonists) have good arguments. Proponents of the abortion prohibition law of Nigeria (the pro-life group) argue that human life is sacred and the right to life is basic; hence, on no account should one be deprived of that fundamental human right, not even the fetus in-utero. Objectives: This review aims to discuss the concepts of abortion and maternal mortality, analyze the Nigerian abortion laws, discuss issues and controversies with abortion in Nigeria as it relates to maternal mortality and morbidity; and discuss the contributions of this Law on maternal mortality and morbidity in Nigeria. Method: The relevant materials for this article were obtained from search engines such as PubMed and Google Scholar respectively. Conclusion: Reviewed literature reveals that many of the contributory factors to maternal mortality could be avoided if preventive measures were taken and adequate care was available. In view of this, efforts should be made by governments and policy makers towards the provision of safe, available and effective abortion care to Nigerian women at all levels of health care, most especially at the grass-root level, primary health care. The study also revealed a poor level of awareness of the Nigerian Abortion Law among women. It is therefore necessary to ensure the wide dissemination of the abortion law and its provisions to the Nigerian public in order to arm them with the necessary information to participate actively in campaigns on abortion law reforms.