Pregnancy Termination: Experiences of Women Seeking Post-Abortion Care Services in Ghana

Abstract Background: Although abortion is a global health concern, it has a higher negative impact on developing countries due to controversial perspectives and varied regulatory regimes. Depending on whether it is induced or spontaneous, women encounter varying experiences. This study examined the pregnancy termination experiences of women seeking post-abortion care services. Methods: An in-depth interview guide was used to collect data from 20 post-abortion care clients at the Volta Regional Hospital. Data was analyzed manually using a qualitative content analysis technique. Result: The study found that medical abortion was main method of pregnancy termination used by women who had induced abortion. Spontaneous abortion, however, was attributed mainly to engaging in activities that required the use of excessive energy and travelling on bad roads by pregnant women. The study also revealed that women do not seek early post-abortion care services due to stigma and poverty. Conclusion: To encourage women to seek early treatment, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service should take pragmatic steps in educating women on the dangers associated with delayed post-abortion care services and the factors that expose women to spontaneous abortions.