Abstract : Family planning devices and services have been available to Ghanaians since ; however, the demand for abortion by women has not reduced in any appreciable terms. It is even noted that the legalization of abortion in as a way of making abortion safe has rather fuelled the demand for abortion. In this exploratory, cross-sectional, comparative and descriptive study, determinants of decision-making factors in Ghanaian women with knowledge of contraception but who resort to induced abortion are examined.
Data from women drawn from both the urban and rural areas around Accra, Tema and Nsawam were analyzed. Overall, it has been found that among both urban and rural women, knowledge of the family planning concept, as well as induced abortion is very high. However, use-rate of contraceptives is very low and a very high percentage of respondents have had an abortion at least, on two occasions.
Observations indicate that women resort to induced abortion primarily when from their own assessment a pregnancy is a roadblock to their status aspirations. This is reinforced by the belief that most of the modern contraceptive devices cause infertility and other health problems while induced abortion, if performed by a qualified doctor does not pose such dangers. Abstract : This master's thesis examines patterns of adolescent premarital sexual behavior in Ghana, with particular reference to the scope and magnitude of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion.
The author reviews the literature on sociocultural, economic, and legal factors that influence teenage sex behavior in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa. The study focuses on Sunyani district, which is 1 of 13 administrative districts in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana. It is concluded that the influences of Western culture are reflected in a growing gap between the age of menarche and the age of marriage, the breakdown of traditional family values and networks, the decline in traditional systems for teaching about sexual health, the absence of privacy in family planning service provision, a fast changing social system, and limited financial support to adolescents.
Policy makers and influentials in the health, education, youth and social welfare, religious, criminal justice, and community sectors must be informed about the size of the problem and the consequences for girls. Those in the medical community who understand the problem need to be involved in all phases of decision making in planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Institutions should aim to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions and to introduce comprehensive postabortion care, counseling, and family planning.
