The effects of a community-based intervention on women’s knowledge and attitudes about safe abortion in intervention and comparison towns in Oromia, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

The aim of this post-intervention assessment was to measure the effects of community intervention on the knowledge and attitudes of women regarding safe abortion in Ethiopia. In 2014, following implementation of an educational intervention on sexual and reproductive health from December 2012 to December 2013, 800 women were interviewed about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding abortion. Multivariate regression analyses of respondents’ demographics, sources of abortion information, knowledge, and attitudes about safe abortion were conducted. More women in the intervention community knew safe abortion was available in the community (76 percent vs. 57 percent; p < 0.001). Women in the intervention community had greater odds of feeling that women should have access to safe abortion services (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.55, 95 percent confidence interval [CI]: 1.06, 2.28) after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics. They had significantly greater odds of feeling comfortable and confident talking to a healthcare provider (aOR: 2.44, 95 percent CI: 1.55, 3.84) and/or her partner (aOR: 2.47, 95 percent CI: 1.58, 3.85) about abortion. Increased mobilization of community networks in disseminating sexual health and abortion information was followed by increased knowledge of abortion services in the intervention community and improved reproductive choices for women.

KEYWORDS:

• Abortion
• stigma
• community
• intervention
• Ethiopia
• contraception

Acknowledgments

We are thankful for the work of Action for Sustainable Development Association for implementing the community-based intervention in Asella, the Asella community members and stakeholders who participated, and to the Regional Health Bureau of Oromia for permitting the present intervention and evaluation. We also extend thanks to our data collectors and the staff at Ipas Ethiopia, particularly Lechisa Assefa, Wondimageghn Berhanu and Elias Senbeto, for the technical support provided during the implementation of this work.

Funding

We extend our great appreciation to the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for their financial support in implementing this community intervention and subsequent evaluation.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yohannes Dibaba Wado

YD participated in interpretation of data and drafting and revising the manuscript. SD participated in data analysis and interpretation and drafting and revising the manuscript. TF contributed to study conception and design, data analysis and interpretation, and drafting and revising the manuscript. DW and DD contributed to the study conception and design, data collection and interpretation, and revising the manuscript. All authors participated in giving final approval of the version to be published.