To tell or not to tell? Abortion disclosure and social support among women who received abortion care in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective In restricted and stigmatized contexts, women having trusted individuals to share their experiences and seek support can make a difference when seeking abortion care. This study examines how women in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria, disclose their abortion care needs within their social support networks and the nature of the support they receive. related to their abortion. Methods The data reported in this study came from a component of a larger study to map abortion service points and assess abortion safety was conducted in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria. The study was conducted among women who received induced abortion care in the past five years. The sample was 200 women who responded to questions about their abortion disclosure practices, reasons for disclosure, abortion experiences that necessitated them seeking support, the support received, and abortion methods used. We used descriptive statistics to present the distribution of respondents’ disclosure, reasons for disclosure, and the support received. We assessed the relationship between disclosure, support received, and abortion method using cross-tabulations. Results Most respondents (79.5%) disclosed their abortions to someone, predominantly to their spouse or partner (66.7%). Various forms of support were reported, including emotional support, practical assistance in accessing abortion services, and advice on methods and providers. For all support, most respondents (average = 65%) receive it before the actual abortion, helping with decision-making and sources of abortion care. We found disparities in the level of support received based on age groups, with adolescent girls and young women (15–24 years old) receiving the least high-level support. Conversely, non-disclosure was based on the belief that abortion is a personal and women’s right or choice and to avoid breach of privacy and stigma. Conclusions Women and girls disclose their abortions selectively and aim to leverage disclosure for information and support in abortion decision-making and care-seeking. Efforts to destigmatize abortion and support women's autonomy in reproductive decision-making are essential, including advocating policies that protect women's right to privacy and confidentiality regarding their reproductive choices, as well as initiatives to engage men in supportive roles and challenge harmful cultural norms.