This study aimed to explore the predictors of unsafe induced abortion among women in Ghana.
The study used data from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey. The association between women’s sociodemographic, obstetric characteristics, and unsafe induced abortion was explored using logistic regression. The analysis involved a weighted sample of 1880 women who caused abortion. The research was carried out using STATA/IC version 15.0. Statistical significance was set at p <0.05.
Of the 1880 women, 64.1% had an unsafely induced abortion. At the multivariable level, woman’s age, payment for abortion services, and knowledge of the legal status of abortion in Ghana were predictors of unsafe induced abortion.
Induced abortion is a universal practice among women. However, the unsafe abortion rate in Ghana is high and remains an issue of public health concern. We recommend that contraceptives and safe abortion services should be made available and easily accessible to women who need these services to reduce unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortion rates, respectively, in the context of women’s health. Also, awareness has to be intensified on abortion legislation in Ghana to reduce the stigma associated with abortion care-seeking.
Reference: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jp/2019/9253650/
