Beyond Unplanned or Unwanted: Do We Consider Self-Reported Health Status, Sexual Activity and Fertility Preference of Women as predictors of Abortion in Ghana?

Background: Although, in Ghana, an induced abortion occurs in every society, and a substantial proportion of pregnancies are resolved by abortion. Objective: In line with this, the study set out to investigate how self-reported health status, sexual activity and fertility preference of women influence abortion in Ghana. Methods: Data were extracted from the 2022 GDHS. Frequency, percentages, Pearson’s chi-squared test of independence and binary logistic regression were used to make meaning to the data. Results: Good health status was significant at p<0.001, (OR=1.241, 95%CI ([1.171-1.315]). Moderate health status was significant at p<0.001, (OR=1.819, 95%CI [1.701-1.945]). Bad health status was significant at p<0.001, (OR=1.622, 95%CI [1.448-1.816]). Very bad health status was significant at p<0.001, (OR=1.777, 95%CI [1.358-2.327]). Not active in last 4 weeks - postpartum abstinence was significant at p<0.001, (OR=0.705, 95%CI ([0.650-0.765]). Undecided was significant at p<0.001, (OR=0.720, 95CI ([0.638-0.813]). Wants after 2years and above was significant at p<0.001, (OR=0.608, ([0.564- 0.654]). Conclusion: Regardless of whether abortion is legal or restricted, it is recommended that provision of post-abortion care should be made a core obligation in Ghana under the right to sexual and reproductive health.