The incidence of induced abortion in Nigeria: Levels and trends

Abortion is highly restricted by law in Nigeria, yet it is commonly used to end an unwanted pregnancy. Sustained low contraceptive prevalence and increasing levels of unmet need continue to prevent women from attaining their fertility desires. Furthermore, because of their clandestine nature, many abortions take place under unsafe conditions, contributing to Nigeria’s high maternal mortality ratio of 630 deaths per 100,000 live births. A landmark 1996 abortion incidence study estimated 610,000 annual abortions and 25 abortion per 1000 women. Using the same methodology: indirect estimation technique through a nationally representative survey of public and private health facilities (n=1032) and a purposeful sample of Nigerian health professionals (n=194), we update abortion estimates for 2012 at the national and regional level.