Predictors of abortions in Rural Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundAbortion continues to be used as a method of family planning by many women. The complications of unsafe abortions are a major contributor to maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana. This study explored the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on abortions in 156 communities within the Kintampo Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS) area located in the middle part of Ghana.MethodsA survey on Sexual and Reproductive Health among a representative sample of females aged 15–49 years was conducted in 2011. They were asked about the outcome of pregnancies that occurred between January 2008 and December 2011. Data on their socio-demographic characteristics including household assets were accessed from the database of the KHDSS. Univariate and multivariate random effects logistic regression models were used to explore the predictors of all reported cases of abortion (induced or spontaneous) and cases of induced abortion respectively.ResultsA total of 3554 women were interviewed. Of this total, 2197 women reported on the outcomes of 2723 pregnancies that occurred over the period. The number of all reported cases of abortions (induced and spontaneous) and induced abortions were 370 (13.6%) and 101 (3.7%) respectively.Unmarried women were more likely to have abortion as compared to married women (aOR = 1.77, 95% CI [1.21-2.58], p = 0.003). Women aged 20–29 years were 43% less likely to have abortion in comparison with those within the ages 13–19 years (aOR = 0.57, 95% CI [0.34-0.95], p = 0.030). Women with primary, middle/junior high school (JHS) and at least secondary education had higher odds of having abortion as compared to women without education. Compared with the most poor women, wealthiest women were three-fold likely to have abortion.Unmarried women had higher odds of having induced abortion as compared to married women (aOR = 7.73, 95% CI [2.79-21.44], p < 0.001). Women aged 20–29 years, 30–39 years and 40–49 years were less likely to have induced abortion as compared to those 13–19 years of age.ConclusionExtra efforts are needed to ensure that family planning services, educational programs on abortion and abortion care reach the target groups identified in this study.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1572-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Socio – economic determinants of abortion among women in Mozambique and Ghana: evidence from demographic and health survey

“…In both countries, the study showed a reduction in the odds of terminating a pregnancy among women within the poorest wealth status, women who were unemployed and those from the rural areas. This is consistent with previous studies in China [24], Napal [25] and Ghana [26, 27], where wealth status, employment and residence were found to be associated with prevalence of abortion. The low prevalence of pregnancy termination among women from the rural areas, who are unemployed and with poorest wealth status can be explained by the fact that wealthiest women who mostly live in urban areas and are usually employed are financially empowered and can afford to terminate a pregnancy as compared to poor women [28, 29].…”

Trends in and predictors of pregnancy termination among 15-24 yer old women in Nigeria: a multi-level analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys 2003-2018

“…Young women who are educated are more likely to have access to information and available services and possibly, delay childbearing and marry later than those with no education. These ndings are consistent with the ndings of other studies [8,15,22,24]. Also, in Ethiopia, evidence has shown that women with higher education were less likely to have induced abortion [57].…”

“…While much research has been published reporting on young people's knowledge, attitudes, practices and prevalence of pregnancy termination in SSA especially in Nigeria [3,9,12,14], fewer studies have investigated factors in uencing termination. The prevalence of pregnancy termination is higher in women of older age [8,[15][16]; young age of sexual debut [17]; employed women [13], unintended pregnancy [8,16], forced or transactional sex [18], physical or sexual intimate partner violence [19,20], higher number of living children [18,21], and higher wealth index [13,22]. Being married [8,13,[22][23], having a secondary education [15,22,24], modern contraceptive use [23] and residing in rural areas have been associated with lower prevalence of induced abortion [13,15].…”

Fatores preditores do abortamento entre jovens com experiência obstétrica

“…However, studies have shown that adolescents who perceive low income have expressed desire for pregnancy as a manner to get more respect from the people around them. This may result in a change of the profile of induced abortion, with decreased frequencies among this population and increased occurrence among young adults 8,19,29 . After adjustment, having thought about inducing abortion during pregnancy did not remain significantly associated with the occurrence of abortion.…”