While Nigerian laws on abortion are among the most restrictive in the world, the country ranks first among countries where citizens are looking for pills for abortion, reveals a new survey.
Nigeria and Ghana are the two countries with the greatest interest in Misoprostol, an abortion pill, reports the BBC.
According to the BBC, data from countries seeking abortion pills came most from Google.
Misoprostol is a medication commonly used as a combination therapy to induce an abortion. It is thought that this combination is over 95% effective during the first 50 days of pregnancy.
“How to Use Misoprostol”, “Misoprostol Price”, “Buy Misoprostol” and “Misoprostol Dosage” are among the most common research around abortion, according to the survey.
The new survey questions the effectiveness of the ban on abortions in countries like Nigeria.
Of the 25 countries with the highest interest in Misoprostol, 11 are in Africa and 14 in Latin America.
The BBC survey found that countries with the most stringent laws, where abortion is only allowed to save the woman’s life, are more than 10 times more interested in the ‘abortion pill’ Misoprostol as countries without restrictions.
By buying pills online and sharing medical advice through WhatsApp groups, women are turning more and more to technology to circumvent legal barriers to abortion.
While abortion is legal in Ghana only for rape, incest, fetal impairment, or to maintain a woman’s mental health, Nigerian abortion laws are stricter. Abortion is allowed in Nigeria only in situations where a woman’s life is in danger.
