Decision making process of females seeking abortion at Ashiaman

Abstract

Despite the amendment of Ghana’s abortion laws in 1985, aimed at increasing access to safe abortion services, abortion has consistently been an important contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in the country. Within the current context, this study explored the decision making process of females seeking abortion. The study was undertaken in Ashiaman, located in the Greater Accra region. It was based on 28 in-depth interviews among females between the ages of 15 and 30 years. The data were analysed manually using Miles and Huberman’s framework and the social ecological model as guides. Among the factors influencing the decision to abort a pregnancy were economic difficulties, child spacing, fear of parental reaction, meeting career and educational objectives, attitude of partner, impregnated by someone other than the regular partner and health concerns. Only 7% of the participants were aware of Ghana’s abortion law. Sixty four percent of the participants decided with partners to abort and in 18% of the cases friends and other family members were involved. On the choice of facility, friends, family members, partners and health workers played diverse roles in the process. Based on the findings the study concluded that the abortion decision making process was a complex one involving various stake holders and that for the design and implementation of appropriate interventions there was a need to draw on the voices of all the stakeholders.