Background

Millions of unsafe abortions are performed every year, undergraduates with unintended pregnancies may result in unsafe abortions to prevent related stigma and may result in related complications such as bleeding and even death. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of unsafe abortion among female undergraduate students of Osun State University.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among 250 undergraduates at Osun State University’s main campus selected using multistage sampling techniques. Data were collected using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire designed in line with study objectives and analysed using IBM SPSS version 23.0. Data analysis included univariate using frequency distributions and bivariate analysis employing chi-square tests to examine the association between variables. Findings were presented using charts and tables with the statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Result

The findings of this study revealed that 96.0% of the respondents had good knowledge of unsafe abortion, while 60.4% held unsupportive attitudes towards unsafe abortion. Only 13.2% had undergone an unsafe abortion, primarily among those engaging in frequent unprotected sexual intercourse and those with multiple sexual partners. Common reasons for unsafe abortion included academic commitments and contraceptive failure. Religious affiliation and marital status significantly influenced attitudes towards unsafe abortion.

Conclusions

Given that most unsafe abortions result from unprotected sex and contraceptive failure, integrating comprehensive reproductive health services and counselling within university health facilities is recommended.