Decision-making for induced abortion in Accra metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

Induced abortions are common in Ghana yet the decision-making process for induced abortion is insufficiently documented. This study therefore examined decision-making process for induced abortion in the Accra metropolis using the Health Belief Model. The study design was retrospective and cross sectional based. Data collection methods were quantitative and qualitative. Questionnaire and interview guides were used to obtain data from 40 I and 30 women respectively who had abortion between January and December, 2010, in the Accra metropolis. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and STATA version 8, while qualitative data were manually analyzed. The study found that, women of various profiles make different abortion decisions with justifications based on peculiar situations during pregnancy. Legal restriction, cost, safety and privacy influenced choice of place and method for abortion. In making abortion decisions, women collaborated with people who influenced the decision-making process. First time pregnancies were mostly aborted regardless of gestational ages and partners' consent. Pressure from partners, circumstances surrounding onset of pregnancy, reproductive intentions and institutional sanctions of pregnant women were push factors for abortion. The study concluded that a decision on abortion is a process that is not always an expression of a woman's own choice, hence recommended policies to support pregnant women in school/apprenticeships to have their babies if they so desire without any hindrances. A further research with respondents' partners was also recommended to compare abortion decision-making among men in Ghana.