Pathways to unsafe abortion in Ghana: the role of male partners, women and health care providers.

Contraception

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Fairhaven College, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA. Electronic address:

Published: October 2013

AI Article Synopsis

  • In Ghana, complications from induced abortion are a major contributor to maternal mortality, prompting a study to explore the decision-making process around abortion.
  • Data was gathered from various stakeholders, including women who had abortions, male partners, and healthcare professionals, revealing that men's opinions heavily influence abortion choices.
  • It's crucial for women to have safe abortion options without male involvement, and healthcare providers should adopt a non-judgmental, patient-centered approach to support them.

Article Abstract

Background: Despite abortion being legal, complications from induced abortion are the second leading cause of maternal mortality in Ghana. The objective of this study was to understand the decision-making process associated with induced abortion in Ghana.

Study Design: Data were collected from female postabortion patients, male partners, family planning nurses and obstetricians/gynecologists at two teaching hospitals in Ghana using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.

Results: While experiences differ for married and single women, men are involved in abortion decision making directly, through "orders" to abort, or indirectly, through denying responsibility for the pregnancy. Health care providers can be barriers to seeking safe abortions in this setting.

Conclusions: Women who choose to terminate a pregnancy without their male partners' knowledge should have the means (both financial and social) to do so safely. Interventions with health care providers should discourage judgemental attitudes and emphasize individually focused patient care.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2013.03.010DOI Listing

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