UNSAFE ABORTION A MAJOR CAUSE OF MATERNAL DEATH IN GHANA.
Abortion is the deliberate termination of a pregnancy after conception. It allows women to put an end to their pregnancies, but involves killing the undeveloped embryo or fetus. More than one in 10 pregnancies –related deaths in Ghana is the result of unsafe abortions.
13% of Ghanaian women who have had an abortion experience complications resulting from unsafe procedures and fewer, than half of them received the needed follow –up care. These statistics are more remarkable because Ghana is one of the few African countries where abortion is legal under fairly broad grounds. In abortion performed by a qualified professional under proper conditions is an extremely safe procedure.
Abortion in Ghana. A report release by the New York base Guttmacher Institute brings together data from various studies including the 2007 Ghana maternal health [G.M.H.S],TO present what is known about abortion in Ghana including information on incidence, abortion providers and the procedures they use, and the characteristics of women having abortion.
As of 1985 Ghanaian law permit in cases of rape, incest or the ‘’defilement of a female idiot’’if the life or health of woman is in danger or there is risk of fertile abnormality. To ensure that legal abortion are provided safely. The Ghana health service and the ministry of health establish protocol for the provision of safe abortion services. The guidelines adopted in 2006 outline the components of comprehensive abortion care and call for expanding the base of health providers to perform first trimester procedures.
The root cause of most abortion is unintended pregnancy which occurs when women are unable to limit their child bearing to time their burial. A major factor contributing to unsafe abortion is that only 4% of women surveyed in 2007 were aware that abortion is legal under fairly broad grounds. Unaware that they can legally obtained a safe abortion procedure, many women turn to unsafe providers. Women also face other barriers to accessing safe abortion and services, including high cost, a limited number of qualified abortion providers are concerns about social stigma.
According to 2007G.M.H.S survey, at least 7% of all pregnancies in Ghana end in abortion and 15% of women aged 15-49 are admitted to having had abortion. Abortion rates were the highest among 20-24years old, educated and wealthier women, and those living in urban areas. According to the same survey just over half of the women [57%] who admitted that they had an abortion sort a doctor to perform the procedure while most others tend to pharmacist or traditional midwives to induce abortion. Almost one in five women induced the abortion themselves or had a help of a friend.
                 The most common reason women sort for abortion was not having the financial needs to take care of a child but rather some reasons included, wanting to delay child bearing or complete school. In order to save women's lives and improve maternal health, there should be the need of increasing public awareness about Ghana's abortion law,risks of unprotected intercourse and improving education for young people about reproductive health, this will help us achieve the millenium development goal[MDG]  five in 2015.    [PPAG FACT SHEET ON ABORTION]

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BAKED CLAY, A POISONOUS SUBSTANCE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

Image
Have you ever thought of why the sale of toffees has decreased over time? What do you see when you go to the provision stores and the market to buy your stuffs. This were the questions in mind while walking on the streets of Accra. Do you also know about the locally manufactured toffee in Ghana? In front of every provision shop in Accra there is the sale of a local toffee which most people find pleasure in eating. Baked clay commonly known as Ayilo in Ga and Shele in Twi is a local toffee craved from betonites and prepared in different part of the country which comes in different shapes and smell. Ayilo in Ghana is baked clay, mostly eaten by pregnant mothers; many women who aren’t pregnant also consume it making it a big business! According to research, eating clay is a global practice that has existed among humans since their evolution from primitive, and one that continues today among traditional ethnic groups as well as numerous animal species. The practice of eatin
Read more

WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION FOR LOVE?

Image
Have you ever thought of defining love in your own words without consulting GOOGLE? Well this evening a group of young people on a WhatsApp group (Heath Matters) has given their own definition for love. The group administrator (Elorm) and a co administrator (Socrates) are the pioneers for the following quotes. Let’s have fun by defining love in your own words. You can use a lot of metaphors to illustrate the phenomenon of love, define yours and keep the fun triggering. Drop your definition in the comment box. Love is like a soap bubble, beautiful to behold but when you clutch at it, it quickly vanishes, leaving you feeling empty. Love is like a roasted plantain, you better eat it hot and fast before it grows cold, hard and loses the flavour. Love is like a butterfly, beautiful and breath taking to see and chase but difficult to catch. Love is like a rose flower, beautiful and sweet but it has thorns at the base and can prick you paa. Love is like a typical Leg
Read more

4 STEPS TO BUILD A PERSONAL BRAND

Image
We all have our own perception when it comes to branding. My perception about branding is totally different from yours. I always thought I knew my brand until Bernard Kelvin Clive asked the whole congregation what our brand was. In an attempt to answer his question, I told him brand is something that makes you unique from others. “Yes you are right”, he said. But guess what, the follow up question that came to me was What is your Brand? Seriously I don’t know my brand but I knew the definition. After his message, I was able to identify my brand as a person. According to Bernard Kelvin Clive , “A personal (Brand) is more than just a creative name, cute logo or complimentary card; it’s a promise of value, it’s a distinctive voice, it’s a core message, its passion driven by purpose, it’s a positive impact that creates an impression” There were four steps I pinpointed during his message which I want to share with you because you are special. I am applying them and i
Read more