TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge and attitudes of deaf persons towards safe abortion services in Ghana
AU - Mprah, Wisdom Kwadwo
AU - Duorinaah, Juventus
AU - Opoku, Maxwell Peprah
AU - Nketsia, William
AU - Amponteng, Michael
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Mprah et al.
PY - 2023/4
Y1 - 2023/4
N2 - Background Deafness refers to partial or total loss of hearing, which, if not appropriately accommodated, may interfere with day-to-day living experiences. Deaf people encountered challenges in their efforts to access essential services, such as health care. While some attention has been given to general access to reproductive health services, less research has focused on the experiences of deaf women and girls when accessing safe abortion services. With unsafe abortion being a major cause of maternal deaths among women in developing countries, this study attempted to explore the perception of deaf women and girls in Ghana towards safe abortion services. Objective The main aim of this study was to understand the perception and awareness safe abortion services among deaf women and girls in Ghana. In doing this, the contributors towards unsafe abortion practices among deaf women and girls were gathered. Method Penchansky and Thomas’ accessibility to health care theory availability, accessibility, accommodation/adequacy, affordability, and acceptability guides this study. A semi-structured interview guide based on components of the theory was used for data collection from 60 deaf persons. Results The components of the theory were used as a priori themes that guided the data analysis. The results showed challenges associated with the indicators of health access. For instance, in terms of availability, it was revealed that deaf women had little knowledge about existing laws on safe abortion in Ghana. In relation to acceptability, deaf women were highly opposed to abortion for cultural and religious reasons. However, there was consensus that safe abortion could be conducted under certain conditions. Conclusion The results of the study have implications for policymaking aimed at attaining equitable access to reproductive health care for deaf women. The need for policymakers to expedite public education and incorporate the needs of deaf women in reproductive health policies, as well as other study implications, are discussed.
AB - Background Deafness refers to partial or total loss of hearing, which, if not appropriately accommodated, may interfere with day-to-day living experiences. Deaf people encountered challenges in their efforts to access essential services, such as health care. While some attention has been given to general access to reproductive health services, less research has focused on the experiences of deaf women and girls when accessing safe abortion services. With unsafe abortion being a major cause of maternal deaths among women in developing countries, this study attempted to explore the perception of deaf women and girls in Ghana towards safe abortion services. Objective The main aim of this study was to understand the perception and awareness safe abortion services among deaf women and girls in Ghana. In doing this, the contributors towards unsafe abortion practices among deaf women and girls were gathered. Method Penchansky and Thomas’ accessibility to health care theory availability, accessibility, accommodation/adequacy, affordability, and acceptability guides this study. A semi-structured interview guide based on components of the theory was used for data collection from 60 deaf persons. Results The components of the theory were used as a priori themes that guided the data analysis. The results showed challenges associated with the indicators of health access. For instance, in terms of availability, it was revealed that deaf women had little knowledge about existing laws on safe abortion in Ghana. In relation to acceptability, deaf women were highly opposed to abortion for cultural and religious reasons. However, there was consensus that safe abortion could be conducted under certain conditions. Conclusion The results of the study have implications for policymaking aimed at attaining equitable access to reproductive health care for deaf women. The need for policymakers to expedite public education and incorporate the needs of deaf women in reproductive health policies, as well as other study implications, are discussed.
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U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0281995
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0281995
M3 - Article
C2 - 37071643
AN - SCOPUS:85152973160
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 18
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
IS - 4 April
M1 - e0281995
ER -