title: Health providers' perception towards safe abortion service at selected health facilities in Addis Ababa.
abstract: In Ethiopia, unsafe abortion accounts up to 32% of maternal deaths. The perception of health providers towards safe abortion provision at selected health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was assessed. A stratified random sampling was used to select 431 health providers. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 25-April 15, 2008 using a structured self-administered questionnaire. The results were interpreted using descriptive statistics and odds ratios. A majority of the health providers (96.4%) recognized that unsafe abortion was a serious health problem. Providers who had safe abortion practice were 2.57 (95% CI 1.49-4.44) times more likely to have favorable attitude towards safe abortion than those without practice. Similarly, providers who knew the law governing abortion were 1.77 (95% CI 1.12-2.78) times more likely to have this favorable attitude than those who lack this knowledge. In conclusion, training of health providers on safe abortion and reproductive rights are essential to reduce maternal mortality.
authors: University of Gondar, School of Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery, Gondar, Ethiopia. jemi28an@yahoo.com
authors: Jemilla
authors: J
authors: Abdi
authors: Mulugeta B
authors: MB
authors: Gebremariam
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000592:standards*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013192:Staff Development; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires