METHODS OF SELF – INDUCED ABORTION. A COMMUNITY BASED STUDY IN THE GA- EAST DISTRICT OF GREATER ACCRA REGION.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: In Ghana the available statistics on unsafe abortions could only be gathered from the hospitals and the clinics especially in the major cities, leaving out the numerous cases of self –induced abortions in the rural communities where the women privately indulged in induced abortion without it being recorded in any hospital records. The purpose of this study was to investigate methods of self –induced abortion, one of the causes of maternal mortality in Ghana. This study seeks to provide information on sources of substances used, mode of application of these substances as well as the reasons why some women resort to self- induced abortion. Design/methodology: The study design was cross-sectional involving the use of quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection, conducted at Ga-East district of Greater Accra region. A simple random sampling was used to identify and select 200 women in their reproductive age (between the ages of 15- 49 years) selected from six communities of Danfa –Abokobi sub district. Qualitatively, two focus group (FGD) discussions sessions were conducted and two in-depth interview (IDI) were also done.

Findings: The study found that 50% of the women having self- induced abortion are single, below 34years with middle levels of education (junior/senior secondary and vocational/technical schools), though significant numbers have no formal education. Those who practice self- induced abortion are mostly artisans, apprentices, traders and unemployed.

The main reasons why women obtained self –induced abortion were financial difficulty (i.e. money to maintain the pregnancy), partner denial of responsibility, to enable them pursue education and apprenticeship, contraceptive failure, fear of parent, stigmatization and not ready for a child. Modes of inducing abortion included drinking of concoctions from local herbs such as grounded ablototor leaves with paracetamol and akpeteshie, mixtures of grounded Guinness bottles in high concentration of sugar solution, concentrated laundry blue with camphor and sugar. Swallowing and insertion of cytotec tablets and insertion of local plants like leaves of nkradedua into vagina and stem of gbukagba into the cervix. These women obtained these substances mostly from quack doctors, pharmaceutical shops, and friends, got it themselves, and drug peddlers. Conclusion : There is every indication that self- induced abortion rate in the rural communities are high and calls for intervention from the district health administration, district assembly, social groups, health professionals and policy makers aimed at reducing the incidence of unsafe abortion. The evidence suggested that health service providers should intensify awareness about family planning and highlight the dangers of induced /unsafe abortion. District assembly should take steps to improve the socio- economic status of women in the district. Bye- laws should be made by the district assembly to punish those who connive and abet with the women to obtain induced abortion illegally.