Title:
Determinants of Unsafe Abortion among Adolescents and Young Adults in Ghana
Authors:
Ofori-Amankwah, Gerhard
Year:
2013
PAGE:
viii, 77
Language:
En
Subject:
Maternal Health – Lessons Learned
Keywords:
Unsafe abortion, induced abortion, Ghana, West Africa, adolescents, youth, young adults, socioeconomic determinants, socioeconomic inequalities
Abstract:
Background: Morbidity and mortality associated with unsafe abortions pose a challenge to Ghana’s health system. Although abortion is legal under certain circumstances, unsafe abortion remains the second highest cause of maternal mortality. Underreporting makes accurately determining the true extent of this problem difficult. Therefore, surveys have largely been relied upon for most data. This study uses the GMHS 2007, to unearth the determinants of unsafe abortion among young females (15-24 years). This sub-population is chosen due to its vulnerability to unintended pregnancies and their sequelae. Methods: The sample reported 1374 pregnancies in women aged 15-24 years, of which 235 reported abortions in the 5 years preceding the survey. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between unsafe abortion and various proximate and systemic determinants. Findings: Unsafe abortion was determined based upon the provider and the environment in which the abortion was performed as permitted by Ghana’s laws. It is estimated that 49.8% of abortions were unsafe. The main variables found to be positively and significantly associated with the probability of an unsafe abortion were: (1) age, (2) education, (3) household wealth, (4) rural residence, (5) religion and (6) ethnicity. Interpretation: This analysis has determined that among Ghana’s young female population, inequities relating to geographic location, sociocultural and economic factors influence the circumstances under which an abortion is performed. Further measures are therefore required to address these inequities and fully implement Ghana’s laws.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
,
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Department:
Development Policy and Practice
Country:
Ghana, Republic of
Region:
Subregion of West Africa
Training:
Master in International Health
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2013 Ofori-Amankwah
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
6XOCrImNB4_20161109093339706.pdf