Reasons, fears, and emotions behind induced abortions in Accra, Ghana

Induced abortion is reported to be the third leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Accra being a capital city with its accompanying problems of rapid population increases and issues of migration also has its own problems with abortion. Figures from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra give abortion as the third leading cause of maternal mortality. However, data from the Pathology unit of the same hospital, show induced abortion as the leading cause of maternal mortality in Accra. This study looks into an aspect of abortion that has been little studied ─ the reasons behind induced abortions. Institute of African Studies: Research Review Vol. 20(2) 2004: 1-9