Contraceptive Preferences of Post-Abortion Patients in Ghana

Abstract

While complications associated with abortions globally represent 13-25% of maternal deaths, it is estimated that these would decline by 25-35% if contraception were accessible and used consistently by women wanting to avoid pregnancy. A study was conducted on women to find out their contraceptive preferences after an abortion episode in Ghana. Although knowledge on contraception was high, less than one-third had ever used contraception before the index pregnancy, indicating a high unmet need for contraception. There was high acceptance rate of contraception following counseling (68%) compared to 16% before the abortion episode. Counseling on the use of effective contraception as part of post abortion care has been found to increase contraceptive use. Accepting contraception was found independent of marital status (p=0.33), age (p=0.27) and formal education (p=0.31). The combined Pill was the most favored (25%) followed by the Injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate. The intra-uterine device was least chosen. About 66% of women who chose abstinence were below age 20. Understandably, tubal ligation was not chosen at all as a method of contraception. Counselling increased contraceptive acceptance from 16% to 68% in the study.