Individual and Community Level Factors Related to Contraceptive Access, Family Planning, and Reproductive Health Challenges Among Women in Kumasi, Ghana: A Field Study

Abstract

Despite the availability of contraceptives, cultural practices and social factors create barriers that prevent women in Ghana from realizing their reproductive health potential. The purpose of the field study was to examine individual and community level factors related to contraceptive access, family planning, and reproductive health challenges among women in Kumasi, Ghana. Specifically, we conducted a field-based comparison of women’s health-related issues in Kumasi and the US to determine areas of similarities and differences. Since our focus was Kumasi in general and the Suntreso Government Hospital in particular, we used convenience sampling. Thus, study results are not generalizable to the entire population of Ghana. Given the short duration of the entire field study (three weeks), and the fact that information on the women’s health areas of focus in Ghana is available in the US, secondary data from various sources were used for the US comparison. Utilizing a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study design, 100 women of reproductive age were surveyed. Results showed that 69.0% of study participants in Kumasi knew where to go to access birth control services but had little desire to use them. Like the study participants in Kumasi, most women in the US also know where to access reproductive health services but are more desirous and interested in using such services. We also found that while cultural norms and gender roles served as primary barriers to family planning and contraceptive access for women in Kumasi, access to health insurance is the barrier in the US.