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01-02-2021 | Contraception | Original Article

Reproductive health decision-making capacity and pregnancy termination among Ghanaian women: Analysis of the 2014 Ghana demographic and health survey

Authors: Abdul-Aziz Seidu, Bright Opoku Ahinkorah, Wonder Agbemavi, Hubert Amu, Freda Bonsu

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Aims

This study sought to assess the association between reproductive health decision-making (RDM) capacity and pregnancy termination among women in Ghana.

Methods

Using data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, the study sample inluded 5437 women of reproductive age. Data were extracted and analysed using STATA version 14.2. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses were done to establish the association between the explanatory and outcome variable.

Results

The prevalence of pregnancy termination was 30.4%. Twenty-eight percent (27.7%) of those who had the capacity to make a reproductive health decision had ever terminated a pregnancy. In the multivariate analysis, women who were capable of taking reproductive health decisions, women aged 45–49 (AOR = 7.3, 95% CI = 3.772, 14.24) years, women from the Ashanti region (AOR = 1.414, 95% CI = 1.095, 1.827), women who were using traditional methods of contraception (AOR = 1.636, 95% CI = 1.168, 2.290) and women who watched TV at least once a week (AOR = 1.332, 95% CI = 1.111, 1.596) had higher odds of terminating a pregnancy. On the other hand, women who had a higher level of education (AOR = 0.682, 95% CI = 0.467, 0.946) and women with 4+ (AOR = 0.441, 95% CI = 0.323, 0.602) children had lower odds of terminating pregnancies.

Conclusion

RDM capacity, region, contraceptive use and intention, media exposure, level of education and parity are associated with pregnancy termination among Ghanaian women. To reduce pregnancy termination, regular integrated community-based outreach programmes targeted at generating community awareness of the effectiveness of modern contraception in prevention of unintended pregnancy are needed. Such efforts will go a long way toward reducing unintended pregnancy and subsequently bringing about reductions in induced abortion.

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Title: Reproductive health decision-making capacity and pregnancy termination among Ghanaian women: Analysis of the 2014 Ghana demographic and health survey
Authors: Abdul-Aziz Seidu
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
Wonder Agbemavi
Hubert Amu
Freda Bonsu
Publication date: 01-02-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Contraception
Published in: Journal of Public Health / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-019-01105-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Reproductive health decision-making capacity and pregnancy termination among Ghanaian women: Analysis of the 2014 Ghana demographic and health survey

Abstract

Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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