Abstract
Background
Repeat induced abortion is a serious public health issue that has been linked to adverse maternal health outcomes. However, knowledge about repeat induced abortion and its associated factors among reproductive age women in Ghana is very scarce. The objective of this study is to examine individual and community factors associated with repeat induced abortion in Ghana which would be helpful to design appropriate programmes and policies targeted at improving the sexual and reproductive health of women.
Methods
We used secondary cross-sectional data from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey. The study included a weighted sample of 4917 women aged 15–49 years with a history of induced abortion. A multivariable complex sample logistic regression analysis was used to investigate individual and community factors associated with repeat induced abortion among women in Ghana. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to measure the association of variables.
Results
Of the 4917 reproductive women with a history of abortion, 34.7% have repeat induced abortion. We find that, compared to women who experience single induced abortion, women who experience repeat abortion are age 25–34 years (AOR:2.16;95%CI = 1.66–2.79) or 35–49 years (AOR:2.95;95%CI:2.18–3.99), have Middle/JHS education (AOR:1.69;95%CI = 1.25–12.27), use contraceptive at the time of conception (AOR:1.48: 95%CI = 1.03–2.14), had sexual debut before 18 years (AOR:1.57; 95%CI: 1.33–1.85) and reside in urban areas (AOR:1.29;95%CI = 1.07–1.57). On the other hand, women who reside in Central (AOR:0.68;95%CI: 0.49–0.93), Northern (AOR:0.46;95%CI:0.24–0.88), Upper West (AOR:0.24; 95%CI: 0.12–0.50) and Upper East (AOR:0.49; 95%CI = 0.24–0.99) regions were less likely to have repeat induced abortion.
Conclusion
The study showed that both individual and community level determinants were significantly associated with repeat induced abortion. Based on the findings, it is recommended to promote sexual and reproductive health education and more emphasis should be given to adult, those with early sexual debut, those with Middle/JHS education and those who live in urban centers.
Repeat induced abortion is a serious public health issue that has been linked to adverse maternal health outcomes. However, knowledge about repeat induced abortion and its associated factors among reproductive age women in Ghana is very scarce. The objective of this study is to examine individual and community factors associated with repeat induced abortion in Ghana which would be helpful to design appropriate programmes and policies targeted at improving the sexual and reproductive health of women.
Methods
We used secondary cross-sectional data from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey. The study included a weighted sample of 4917 women aged 15–49 years with a history of induced abortion. A multivariable complex sample logistic regression analysis was used to investigate individual and community factors associated with repeat induced abortion among women in Ghana. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to measure the association of variables.
Results
Of the 4917 reproductive women with a history of abortion, 34.7% have repeat induced abortion. We find that, compared to women who experience single induced abortion, women who experience repeat abortion are age 25–34 years (AOR:2.16;95%CI = 1.66–2.79) or 35–49 years (AOR:2.95;95%CI:2.18–3.99), have Middle/JHS education (AOR:1.69;95%CI = 1.25–12.27), use contraceptive at the time of conception (AOR:1.48: 95%CI = 1.03–2.14), had sexual debut before 18 years (AOR:1.57; 95%CI: 1.33–1.85) and reside in urban areas (AOR:1.29;95%CI = 1.07–1.57). On the other hand, women who reside in Central (AOR:0.68;95%CI: 0.49–0.93), Northern (AOR:0.46;95%CI:0.24–0.88), Upper West (AOR:0.24; 95%CI: 0.12–0.50) and Upper East (AOR:0.49; 95%CI = 0.24–0.99) regions were less likely to have repeat induced abortion.
Conclusion
The study showed that both individual and community level determinants were significantly associated with repeat induced abortion. Based on the findings, it is recommended to promote sexual and reproductive health education and more emphasis should be given to adult, those with early sexual debut, those with Middle/JHS education and those who live in urban centers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1420 |
| Journal | BMC Public Health |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 28 May 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 28 May 2024 |
Bibliographical note
The authors would like to thank Measure DHS and the Ghana Statistical Service for granting them access to the data used in the analysis in this study.© 2024. The Author(s).
Keywords
- Complex sample analysis
- Ghana
- Induced abortion
- Repeat
