title: Determinants of abortion decisions among Ghanaian university students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Unsafe abortion accounts for a significant proportion of maternal and reproductive health related mortalities and complications in developing countries. In Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa in general, abortion remains a significant barrier to achieving the health related MDGs. Yet, there exist a dearth of information on the determinants of abortion decisions among adolescents, students and other populations at risk.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explores the factors that are likely to influence abortion decisions among University students in Ghana. It also explores their knowledge and perceptions on abortion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from 142 randomly sampled students of the University of Ghana through focus group discussions. Questions focused on their knowledge on abortion and the key determinants of their decisions to abort. The results were recorded, transcribed, and analysed qualitatively using the thematic analysis approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The students were knowledgeable on abortion. In making decisions on abortion, the students considered their education, religious beliefs, health, economic factors, and family.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Factors such as societal pressure and peer influence that, to date, have been the backbone of sexual and reproductive health, anti-abortion stigma, and unsafe abortion education and interventions have minimal influence on abortion decisions among the students. Rather, these interventions must focus on their education, religious beliefs, health, economic factors, and family to make maximum impact.
authors.forename: Nana Nimo
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Appiah-Agyekum
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sorkpor
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ofori-Mensah
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005869:Ghana; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult