Men’s support for abortion in Upper East and Upper West Ghana

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Study Justification:
– Unsafe abortion is the second leading cause of maternal mortality in Ghana.
– Men’s support influences women’s use of safe abortion services.
– Understanding men’s knowledge and attitudes towards abortion is crucial for improving women’s access to safe abortion services.
Study Highlights:
– Conducted focus groups and interviews with men in rural Ghana.
– Found that most men knew the difference between unsafe and safe abortion and would support their partner to have an abortion.
– Identified the need to develop messages that reinforce safe abortion as acceptable and address fears of death or barrenness.
– Recommended the use of multiple channels, including pictures, video, or audio, to communicate these messages to men.
Recommendations for Lay Reader and Policy Maker:
– Develop messages that educate men about safe abortion and address their fears.
– Use multiple channels, such as pictures, video, or audio, to reach men who cannot read.
– Implement an intensive intervention inclusive of men to improve women’s access to safe abortion services.
Key Role Players:
– Researchers and data collectors
– Community leaders and influencers
– Healthcare providers
– Government officials and policymakers
– Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in reproductive health
Cost Items for Planning Recommendations:
– Research and data collection expenses
– Development and production of educational materials (e.g., posters, brochures, videos)
– Training and capacity-building for healthcare providers and community leaders
– Communication and outreach activities (e.g., community meetings, workshops)
– Monitoring and evaluation of the intervention’s effectiveness

The strength of evidence for this abstract is 7 out of 10.
The evidence in the abstract is moderately strong. The study conducted focus groups and interviews with men in rural Ghana, which provides valuable insights into their knowledge and support for abortion. However, the abstract does not mention the sample size or specific findings from the study. To improve the evidence, the abstract should include more details about the research methodology, sample size, and key findings.

The second leading cause of maternal mortality in Ghana is unsafe abortion. Research in Ghana shows that men’s support influences women’s use of safe abortion services. The aim of this study was to understand what men know about abortion, why they support their partners to seek an abortion, and to identify effective ways to reach men with abortion information. We conducted eleven focus groups and ten in-depth interviews with men of reproductive age in rural Ghana. Inclusion criteria were written consent, age and marital status. Focus groups and interviews were conducted in local languages using a semi-structured guide. Focus groups and interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, translated, computerised and coded for analysis. Most men knew the difference between unsafe and safe abortion and would support their partner to have an abortion. Messages that reinforce safe abortion as acceptable and that address fears of death or barrenness should be developed to educate men about safe abortion. Multiple channels to communicate these messages should be used and include pictures, video or audio for those men who cannot read. Through an intensive intervention inclusive of men, women’s access to safe abortion services can be improved in Ghana.

N/A

Innovations for the above recommendations include:

1. Developing targeted messages: Creating messages that specifically address men’s support for safe abortion and reinforce its acceptability. These messages should also address common fears related to abortion, such as death or barrenness.

2. Using multiple communication channels: Utilizing various channels to communicate these messages, including pictures, videos, or audio. This ensures that men who cannot read can still access and understand the information.

3. Inclusive interventions: Implementing intensive interventions that actively involve men. This can be done through community-based programs, workshops, or educational campaigns that aim to educate men about safe abortion and its importance for women’s health.

By implementing these innovations, the study suggests that women’s access to safe abortion services can be improved in Ghana.
AI Innovations Description
The recommendation from the study to improve access to maternal health in Ghana is to develop messages and interventions that target men’s support for safe abortion. The study found that men’s support influences women’s use of safe abortion services. To educate men about safe abortion, messages should be developed that reinforce safe abortion as acceptable and address fears of death or barrenness. These messages should be communicated through multiple channels, including pictures, video, or audio for men who cannot read. By including men in intensive interventions, women’s access to safe abortion services can be improved in Ghana. This recommendation was published in the journal Culture, Health and Sexuality in 2019.
AI Innovations Methodology
To simulate the impact of the main recommendations mentioned in the abstract on improving access to maternal health in Ghana, a potential methodology could involve the following steps:

1. Sample Selection: Identify a representative sample of men of reproductive age in rural areas of Upper East and Upper West Ghana. Ensure that the sample includes men who meet the inclusion criteria of age and marital status.

2. Baseline Assessment: Conduct a pre-intervention survey to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of the selected men regarding abortion. This survey should include questions related to their understanding of safe and unsafe abortion, their support for their partners seeking an abortion, and their fears or concerns related to abortion.

3. Intervention Development: Based on the recommendations from the study, develop educational messages and interventions that target men’s support for safe abortion. These messages should reinforce safe abortion as acceptable and address fears of death or barrenness. Utilize various communication channels such as written materials, pictures, videos, and audio to cater to men who cannot read.

4. Intervention Implementation: Implement the developed interventions through intensive interventions that specifically target men. This could involve community-based workshops, group discussions, or one-on-one counseling sessions. Ensure that the interventions are culturally sensitive and delivered in local languages.

5. Post-Intervention Assessment: Conduct a post-intervention survey to evaluate the impact of the interventions on men’s knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding safe abortion. Compare the results with the baseline assessment to determine any changes or improvements.

6. Data Analysis: Analyze the survey data using appropriate statistical methods to assess the impact of the interventions on men’s support for safe abortion and their influence on women’s use of safe abortion services.

7. Evaluation and Recommendations: Based on the findings, evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions in improving access to maternal health in Ghana. Identify any gaps or areas for improvement and provide recommendations for future interventions or policies.

8. Dissemination: Publish the findings of the study in a reputable journal, such as Culture, Health and Sexuality, to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on improving access to maternal health in Ghana.

By following this methodology, researchers can simulate the impact of the main recommendations mentioned in the abstract and gain insights into the effectiveness of targeting men’s support for safe abortion in improving access to maternal health in Ghana.

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