Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning PubHealthInfo

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PubHealth.info® (a subsidiary of PakMed) presents scientific information mainly based on abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health issues/topics, particularly encompassing population planning, disease prevention, maternal and child health, and communicable and non-communicable diseases (like HIV AIDS, malaria, etc) that are affecting a significant portion of population in developing and developed countries. Here you can find abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health topics under category "Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning". Contraception (birth control) is a regimen of one or more actions, devices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of a woman becoming pregnant or giving birth. Therefore contraception is the utilization of various and sundry surgical procedures, devices, practices, agents, or drugs with the intention of preventing conception or impregnation (pregnancy). Methods and intentions typically termed birth control may be considered a pivotal ingredient to family planning. Birth control is a controversial political and ethical issue in many cultures and religions, and although it is generally less controversial than abortion specifically.

YEAR: 1995

CATEGORY: Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning

TITLE

Despite desire for smaller families, few Ghanaians practice contraception.

AUTHORS

Hollander D

SOURCE

International Family Planning Perspectives. 1995 Sep;21(3):121-3.

ABSTRACT

The 1993 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) included 4562 women aged 15-49 and 1302 men aged 15-

59 in 5822 households. It found that 91% of women knew at least one contraceptive method and at least one modern

method; 68% knew a traditional method. Among those who knew a particular modern method, only 60-80% also

knew where to get it. Between 1988 and 1993, overall contraceptive prevalence rose from 13% to 20% and current

use of a modern method doubled from 5% to 10%. Periodic abstinence, the choice of 8% of married women, was the

most frequently used method, and the pill was the most commonly used modern method, which 3% of the women

relied on. The condom and injectables were each the choice of about 2%. While 20% of married women were using

a contraceptive method, 38% had an unmet need for contraception (25% to space births and 13% to limit

childbearing). Nevertheless, the total fertility rate of 5.5 children per woman and the average ideal family size of 4.7

children among currently married women represent declines since the late 1980s, suggesting that a preference for

small families has started to take hold. Based on data for the 5 years preceding the survey, the infant mortality rate

was 66 deaths/1000 live births; the rate had been 82/1000 based on data for 1974-78. Similarly, the mortality rate

among children under age 5 was 119/1000, down from 157/1000 in the 1970s. About 95% of men and women

surveyed had heard about AIDS, and 85-90% of them associated HIV transmission with sexual intercourse. Some

84% of women and 89% of men knew that condom use can help prevent transmission of the virus. 82% of women

and 85% of men knew about the possibility of maternal-fetal transmission. However, about two-thirds of respondents

believed that the virus can be transmitted via insect bites, and more than one-half thought it can be spread by

kissing. (PubHealth.info Document ID: CONT2T 2527-06)

PubHealth.info NOTE: The author(s) of this article titled, "Despite desire for smaller families, few Ghanaians practice

contraception.", is(are) Hollander D. The source of this article is "International Family Planning Perspectives. 1995

Sep;21(3):121-3.". This article was published in 1995 in English language(s). (PubHealth.info® Document ID:

CONT2T 2527-06. All rights reserved with PubHealth.info) PIN: 7527

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