Women’s Prior Knowledge of The Abortion Law and Decision-Making on Choice of Place for Abortion Services in Accra, Ghana

The University of Education, Department of Health Administration, P. O. Box 25, Winneba, Ghana.

Corresponding Author: Fred Yao Gbagbo, University of Education, Department of Health Administration, P. O. Box 25, Winneba, Ghana.
Received Date: Jul 9, 2019
Published Date: Jul 26, 2019
Copyright © 2019 Gbagbo FY

Citation: Gbagbo FY. (2019). Women’s Prior Knowledge of The Abortion Law and Decision-Making on Choice of Place for Abortion Services in Accra, Ghana. Mathews J Gynecol Obstet 4(1): 17.

ABSTRACT

Background: Despite less restrictive abortion laws in Ghana than in other African Countries, women still resort to unsafe abortions. This study examines the cross-sectional relationship between women’s prior knowledge of Ghana’s abortion law and type of provider accessed in Accra, Ghana.

Methods: Women seeking induced abortion (320) and those being treated for post-abortion complications (81) were sampled from four purposive selected health facilities (2 public and 2 private). Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression models were estimated to test the study hypothesis that prior knowledge of abortion laws informs women’s decision for options.

Results: Less than half of respondents knew abortion was legal in Ghana. In both bivariate (OR=4.959; 95% CI 3.418, 7.193) and multivariable (OR=6.45, 95% CI 4.25, 10.08) models, women who knew the legalities and those educated were more likely to seek safe abortions. The prospect of seeking safe abortions was lower among women reporting boyfriends/fiancés and teachers/bosses as those responsible for the index pregnancy.

Conclusions: Regardless of a woman’s background, knowledge on abortion laws influences decisions on choice of place for services. Education on the law is therefore required for informed decisions in Ghana.

Keywords: Androgen-Independent Malignancy; Advanced Prostate Cancer; Cabergoline Treatment; Case Report.

Abbreviations: CAC: Comprehensive Abortion Care; FP: Family Planning; ICPD: International Conference on Population and Development; NGO: NonGovernmental Organization; OR: Odds Ratio; PAC: Post Abortion Contraception; R3M: Reducing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity.