"Abortion--it is my own body": women's narratives about influences on their abortion decisions in Ghana.
Globally, abortion has emerged as a critical determinant of maternal morbidity and mortality. The Ghana government amended the country's abortion law in 1985 to promote safe abortion. This article discusses the findings of a qualitative study that explored the decision-making experiences of 28 female abortion seekers aged between 15 and 30 years in Ghana. Key findings from the study are that individuals claimed autonomy in their abortion decisions; underlying the abortion decisions were pragmatic concerns such as economic difficulties, child spacing, and fear of parental reaction. In conclusion, we examine the health implications of Ghanaian women's abortion decisions.
a Department of Sociology and Anthropology , University of Cape Coast , Central Region , Cape Coast , Ghana.
Georgina Yaa
GY
Oduro
Mercy Nana Akua
MN
Otsin
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D033262:Narration; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016387:Women's Health; D014933:Women's Rights; D055815:Young Adult