Post abortion care and its contextual determinants: the case of Kpeshie Sub-Metro in Accra, Ghana
Abstract
The theme Post-abortion Care (PAC) was coined during 1993 by (IPAS) (International Project Assistance Services) to include curative care, preventive care and improve overall reproductive health. PAC encompasses treatment and management of incomplete abortion, whether spontaneous or induced. This provides the necessary skills to women to prevent future abortion risks and improve the overall health.
Many women suffer long-team complications including infertility, chronic pelvic pain and ectopic pregnancies. The consequences of these losses and sufferings to individuals, families, communities and nations are manifolds. Therefore there is the need for thorough investigations into the problem.
This study describes the result of a community based survey on the context of Post- abortion care of Kpeshie sub Metro in Accra-Ghana. A structured questionnaire was administered to 250 females in their Reproductive age. The results showed that respondent 65.2% were more than 25 years old and over (7 1.6%) of the respondents had ever been pregnant. Out of these, 87.1% had their children alive. Whilst 25.7% had miscarriage and 43% intentionally tempered or terminated their pregnancies.
However, 68% of abortion clients usually do not request for contraceptive after treatment, 60% health providers do not usually provide contraceptive counseling
and services for abortion clients. Also 78% of abortion clients are not given appointment to talk to someoƓe else for contraceptives and family planning in general.
Concerning organization of post abortion care services at La hospital, the health facility usually provide Pre and post abortion counseling services to clients.
Furthermore, follow up is not done due to limited resources, lack of zeal to do it, and poor communication There is the need therefore for all stakeholders like Policy makers, Donors, Regional, District, Community, and health services to join hands to do more research and education to create more awareness to the public.
Description
A thesis submitted to the College of Health Sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, 2005