Evidence brief: Knowledge, attitudes, practices and behaviors among providers of abortion-related care at a referral maternity hospital in Jigawa state, Nigeria

This evidence brief outlines selected findings from the R2HC funded AMoCo study related to knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and practices (KAPB) with regard to abortion among health professionals in Jahun, Nigeria.

Providers are critical to providing timely and high-quality comprehensive abortion care (CAC) that can decrease abortion-related complications. This survey assessed not only the KAPB of CAC providers in hospital settings but also identified provider-related barriers to adequate CAC and points for improvement in the provision and accessibility of CAC services.

The findings indicate that most health professionals in this facility have a supportive attitude regarding comprehensive abortion care, especially for the global provision of PAC and contraception. More diverse opinions were seen for the provision of safe abortion care and contraception to minors. Nevertheless, their knowledge and practices still reflect shortcomings.

Up-to-date protocols and regulatory information, continuing education, task-sharing, robust contraceptive method mix, and supporting self-care interventions are likely to strengthen CAC in facilities beyond this one. More research is needed about the factors associated with health professionals’ positive attitudes, behaviors, and practices towards each component of CAC.