Factors Associated With Multiple Induced Abortions In Ghana

ABSTRACT

When a woman is faced with an unintended pregnancy the onus lies on her to either carry the pregnancy to term or terminate it, and in the developing world the majority of these are terminated unsafely. The problem of induced abortion can further be exacerbated when they become repeated. Women who have previous records of induced abortion stand a greater risk of resorting to it again when the need arises. It is therefore necessary to note the factors that serve as contributors to the already existing problem of maternal mortality. Therefore, this study sought to identify the various factors associated with a woman obtaining multiple abortions. The source of data used was the 2007 Ghana Maternal Health Survey. Women between ages 15 and 49 who had ever undergone abortions formed the sample and the total weighted sample size consisted of 1482 women. Univariate, bivariate and binary logistics regression analyses were the various stages of analyses conducted. The results obtained showed women that who entered into unions when they were less than age 20 were 17.4% less likely to carry out multiple abortions as compared to those who entered into unions when they were thirty years and above. Women who were poor and lived in rural areas were also less likely to seek multiple abortions. In addition, urban dwellers, SHS/higher educated and richer women were more likely to report experiencing multiple abortions. Women who had their first abortion earlier than age 30 and women with an increased number of pregnancies were also susceptible to multiple abortions. Recommendations therefore include the availability of contraceptives to women, especially those below age 20, as well as reproductive health counselling for the rich and educated women. Also further studies should be conducted to understand why sexually active women not in stable unions are less likely to seek multiple abortions.