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Background <p>Unsafe abortion remains a major yet preventable contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in India, causing nearly 10% of maternal deaths. Despite the liberal provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, and its 2021 amendments, almost half of abortions still occur in unsafe settings due to low legal literacy, sociocultural barriers, and inconsistent training.</p> Objective <p>To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding abortion and the MTP Act among medical students, resident doctors, paramedical staff, and individuals of reproductive age.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted over five months in a tertiary hospital in North India using a validated 40-item questionnaire administered to 446 participants. Knowledge was scored dichotomously, attitudes assessed on a three-point Likert scale, and practices evaluated through direct and familiarity-based questions. Analyses included descriptive statistics, multivariate regression, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and Tukey’s HSD.</p> Results <p>A training-linked gradient emerged. Residents scored highest (22.07/27), followed by students (19.76), paramedical staff (15.69), and non-medical participants (14.70). Awareness of broad provisions—such as the illegality of sex-selective abortion—was high, but knowledge of several legal specifics remained limited. Residents showed the most supportive attitudes and counseling preparedness. Paramedical staff displayed mixed attitudes and low legal familiarity, while non-medical participants had supportive attitudes but minimal legal awareness.</p> Conclusion <p>Despite favorable attitudes, notable knowledge and practice gaps persist. Strengthening curricula, expanding continuing education, regulating medical abortion drug access, and improving community awareness are essential to ensuring safe, stigma-free abortion care.</p>

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KAP Study on Safe Abortion Practices and MTP Act Awareness

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月30日

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  • Sana Ahmad,
  • Somya Singh,
  • Mahvish Shafiq

摘要

Background

Unsafe abortion remains a major yet preventable contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in India, causing nearly 10% of maternal deaths. Despite the liberal provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, and its 2021 amendments, almost half of abortions still occur in unsafe settings due to low legal literacy, sociocultural barriers, and inconsistent training.

Objective

To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding abortion and the MTP Act among medical students, resident doctors, paramedical staff, and individuals of reproductive age.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted over five months in a tertiary hospital in North India using a validated 40-item questionnaire administered to 446 participants. Knowledge was scored dichotomously, attitudes assessed on a three-point Likert scale, and practices evaluated through direct and familiarity-based questions. Analyses included descriptive statistics, multivariate regression, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and Tukey’s HSD.

Results

A training-linked gradient emerged. Residents scored highest (22.07/27), followed by students (19.76), paramedical staff (15.69), and non-medical participants (14.70). Awareness of broad provisions—such as the illegality of sex-selective abortion—was high, but knowledge of several legal specifics remained limited. Residents showed the most supportive attitudes and counseling preparedness. Paramedical staff displayed mixed attitudes and low legal familiarity, while non-medical participants had supportive attitudes but minimal legal awareness.

Conclusion

Despite favorable attitudes, notable knowledge and practice gaps persist. Strengthening curricula, expanding continuing education, regulating medical abortion drug access, and improving community awareness are essential to ensuring safe, stigma-free abortion care.