ABSTRACT
The research explored the social perceptions of abortion among undergraduate students at the University of Benin. The study aimed to achieve several objectives: first, to determine the overall social perception of abortion among these students; second, to assess their views on the effects of abortion; third, to ascertain whether the students support the legalization of abortion in Nigeria; and finally, to examine the implications of these perceptions for social work practices related to abortion within this demographic.
The survey research design was adopted for this study. 221 copies of questionnaire were distributed to undergraduate students in the University of Benin. Data collected were analyzed using frequency count, percentages, and mean with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 24.0.
The findings indicated that unsafe abortions pose a significant threat to women's reproductive health, frequently leading to severe and potentially fatal complications. The risks associated with abortions can include a range of physical issues, such as bleeding, as well as emotional challenges like anxiety, depression, guilt, and despair. The study underscores the importance of tackling the issue of unintended pregnancies among adolescents and young people. It recommends that parents and guardians should make it a priority to educate their female children about abortion, covering its legal and illegal aspects, and the penalties associated with illegal abortions.
Keywords: abortion, pregnancy, social perception, undergraduate, students,
