A qualitative study on the reflections of Ghanaian women with abortion experiences on contraception

Most Ghanaian women who have undergone abortions were not using contraception at the time of pregnancy. This study explores the crosscutting perspectives among women with abortion experiences about the various ways in which their circumstances acted as barriers to their use of contraception. This study is qualitative; it involved 14 women who underwent safe abortions in an NGO and a private hospital in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and audio recorded with participants after terminations. Recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Study results showed the influence of intimate partners on women’s contraceptive choices. Also emerging from the study was how community norms and expectations about beauty and secrecy around sex influenced participants’ contraceptive choices. Participants further mentioned deciding against contraceptive use due to the mandatory pregnancy test they had to undergo whenever they missed an appointment, fears about side effects and financial difficulties. The study concludes on the need for empowering women to take charge of their contraceptive and sexual and reproductive health needs. It further suggests continuous and respectful engagement between various stakeholders to ensure an increase in contraception uptake and a reduction in method discontinuation.