Clients' Experience of Self-Managed Abortion and Perceived Quality of Care by Clinical and Non-Clinical Providers in Urban Slums of Nigeria

Francis Awasighe Eremutha, Modupe Oluwatoyin Owolabi, Makuachukwu Chioma Ekwo

Abstract: Background: Unsafe abortion remains an important public health concern in Nigeria, particularly among adolescent girls and young women living in underserved communities. This study assessed experiences of self-managed medication abortion delivered through trained clinical and non-clinical providers and examined perceived quality of care. Methods: Implementation research was conducted among 510 adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 30 years who accessed medication abortion in selected urban slums of the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State. Participants completed a semi-structured exit questionnaire, and descriptive statistics were used for analysis. In addition, 120 clinical and non-clinical providers underwent pre- and post-training assessment, including assessment of attitudes toward abortion. Results: Participants had a mean age of 24.7 years. Contraceptive use following medication abortion reached 83.2%, while 87.2% of respondents had a positive abortion-perception score. Participants generally reported favourable experiences of confidentiality, respectful treatment, counselling, medication information, and referral support. Mean satisfaction with services was 9.2 out of 10. Provider assessments also indicated improvements in abortion-related knowledge and attitudes following training. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a community-based model involving trained clinical and non-clinical providers is feasible and acceptable for expanding access to medication abortion and related reproductive health services in underserved communities. Further evaluation during scale-up would help establish effectiveness and sustainability.

Keywords: self-managed abortion, medication abortion, misoprostol, quality of care, task shifting, adolescent girls and young women, Nigeria

How to Cite?: Francis Awasighe Eremutha, Modupe Oluwatoyin Owolabi, Makuachukwu Chioma Ekwo, "Clients' Experience of Self-Managed Abortion and Perceived Quality of Care by Clinical and Non-Clinical Providers in Urban Slums of Nigeria", Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 866-873, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26907184647, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26907184647

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