Safe Abortion among Underprivileged Group Married Women of Low Resource Country: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Unsafe Abortion is one of the leading causes of maternal death. The unhygienic and dangerous practice has been encountered in various geographical areas of Nepal. Despite its legalization, many women are still being not concerned and well informed regarding safe abortion and become victims of it. The main aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice regarding safe abortion among married women of reproductive (14 to 49) years of an underprivileged group of low resource country, Nepal. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was done in Rajbanshi community of Jhapa District. Data collection was done after taking ethical approval. Study population was selected conveniently. Data was collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire via face to face interviews among 420 married women of reproductive (14-49) years. All the extracted data were entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Services version 20. Descriptive analysis was done and presented using frequency and percentage. RESULTS: Out of 420 respondents, 388 respondents (92.4%) found to have poor knowledge, regarding safe abortion. Likewise, only 44 respondents (10.05%) had practiced abortion, of which only 2 respondents (0.05%) had an unsafe abortion and 42 respondents (10%) had practiced safe abortion. CONCLUSIONS: Practices of unsafe abortion were prevalent. Respondents with poor knowledge were found to have done abortion. In this context, it can be concluded that knowledge regarding safe abortion can be increased by educating and providing awareness to the people of society.