Knowledge of Abortion Laws and Policies and Abortion Choices among Women in Bungoma County, Kenya

Abstract

Access to accurate information on abortion laws and policies plays a critical role in shaping women’s reproductive health decisions. In Kenya, uncertainty and misconceptions regarding the legal provisions governing abortion continue to influence women’s choices, often resulting in unsafe abortion practices. This study sought to examine the effect of knowledge of abortion laws and policies on abortion choices among women in Bungoma County. The study was guided by the Health Belief Model, which emphasizes the influence of perceived knowledge and awareness on individual health-related decisions. A descriptive research design was adopted, targeting 78 young women aged 18–24 years, 10 Kenya Registered Nurses, and 10 gynecologists. Data from the women were collected using structured questionnaires administered through snowball sampling, while key informant interviews were conducted with nurses and gynecologists. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically using Nvivo. The findings revealed that knowledge of abortion laws and policies had a strong positive influence on abortion choices among young women, with those possessing accurate legal awareness more likely to seek safe and medically supervised abortion services. Limited knowledge and prevailing misinformation, however, contributed to continued reliance on unsafe abortion methods driven by fear of legal repercussions, stigma, and social pressure. The study concludes that enhancing women’s knowledge of abortion laws is essential in promoting informed, safe, and health-conscious reproductive choices. It recommends that health facilities, county reproductive health programs, and community actors intensify targeted awareness campaigns, youth-friendly counseling, and policy dissemination to reduce unsafe abortion practices and improve reproductive health outcomes.