"Abortion--it is my own body": women's narratives about influences on their abortion decisions in Ghana
Oduro, G.Yaa.; Otsin, M.Nana.Akua.
Health Care for Women International 35(7-9): 918-936
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0739-9332 PMID: 24785835 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2014.914941Document Number: 624762
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.