Male Support in accessing abortion services in Ghana: a cross sectional study in the Upper East and Upper West Regions of Ghana

Marian Smith, Ipas, Ghana
Samuel Antobam, Ipas, Ghana
Selorme Azumah, Ipas, Ghana
Koma Jehu-Appiah, Ipas, Ghana

Ghana has a liberal and progressive law on abortion, however unsafe abortion remains unacceptably high contributing to 11% of maternal deaths, and even higher in the Upper East and Upper West regions where this study is focused, averaging 30%. Though critical role players, very little is known on how men are involved in this pregnancy outcome. Using a sample of 745 men, we assess how some selected predictor variables influence male support for abortion. Specifically we ask the question whether knowledge of the legal status of abortion plays a significant role in determining male support. Preliminary findings reveal that only 12% of men had some knowledge of the law on abortion while 59% of the sample stated non-support for their partners. Also, 59% of the men who knew abortion was legal in Ghana offered support to their partners compared to 39% who were not aware of the law on abortion.