Correlates of change in knowledge on legality and place of abortion in Nepal

After the liberalization of the abortion law, awareness of the legalization status and place of abortion has increased among Nepali women of reproductive age. As of 2006, nationally, 32.3% (95% CI: 31.4, 33.2) of the women ages 15-44 were aware of the legal status of abortion and 56.5% (95% CI: 55.5, 57.4) knew of a place where they could obtain an abortion (Thapa and Sharma, 2012). Similarly, in 2011, overall, 38.7% (CI: 37.8%, 39.6%) and 59.8% (CI: 58.9%, 60.7%) of women 15-44 were aware of the legal status of the abortion law and a place to have an abortion, respectively. Percentage of women ending their pregnancy using induced abortion has also increased from 5% in 2006 to 7% in 2011. This paper examines demographic and socioeconomic differentials in the change in knowledge and use of induced abortion and examines the extent to which the trend in knowledge and use of induced abortion vary among demographic and socioeconomic groups. Bivariate and multivariate analysis will be used to examine the relationship. Ecological and development sub-region, place of residence, wealth quintile, education, age and number of living children will be used as demographic and socioeconomic independent variables in the bivariate and multivariate analyses of the determinants of knowledge and use of induced abortion.