Perceptions of liberalizing the abortion law and the associated factors among health care providers in selected health facilities in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzani

Abstract

BSTRACT Background: In order to engage in a balanced discussion regarding the legal status of abortion in Tanzania, and to smoothen the domestication process of the Maputo protocol, it is important to understand the perceptions of liberalizing the abortion law among health care providers, who are important stakeholders and policy gatekeepers in reproductive health. Objective: This study aimed to assess the perceptions of liberalizing the abortion law and the associated factors among health care providers (HCP) in selected health facilities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among 406 health care providers in Dar es Salaam. Proportionate stratified sampling and convenient sampling techniques were used to select participants. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis were used to assess perceptions of liberalizing the law and the associated factors. Data are presented in frequency tables and cross-tabulations. Results: About seventy three percent (72.9%) of health care providers (HCP) support the liberalization of the law when the pregnancy poses risk to the woman‟s life which is concordant to what the current law stipulates. More than two-thirds of the respondents 276 (68%) had poor knowledge of the abortion law and only (6.4%) had high level of knowledge. Knowledge of the abortion law (OR=1.329), sex (OR=1.432), religion (OR=1.465) and duration of employment had an influence on the perceptions of liberalizing abortion. Conclusion: Majority of health care providers in the selected health facilities in Dar es Salaam support the removal of legal restrictions on some cases of abortion especially rape. Moreover, majority of them are not aware of the law governing abortion in Tanzania. It is therefore important to ensure that health care providers are well informed of the legal context of abortion in the country as well as public health and human rights importance of removing legal restrictions on abortion for more circumstances