Trends in the Determinants of the Choice of A Contraceptive Method in Ghana, 1988-2003.

In this paper, we examine the trends in the determinants of the choice of a contraceptive method among Ghanaian women, using data primarily from the 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2003 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys. In 1969, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to adopt a population policy. A major objective of the policy was to reduce population growth to a rate of 2.0 percent per annum by the year 2000. Women in Ghana have a fairly high knowledge about contraceptive methods. More than 98 percent of currently married women know some kind of method of contraception. However, the practice rate is very low. The contraceptive practice rate has increased from 12.9 percent in 1988 to 25.2 percent in 2003. This is an increase of only 12 percent in 15 years. Traditional methods were more popular among current users than the modern methods up to 1993. Since 1993 modern methods became more popular. Almost 19 percent are using any modern method in 2003. This is an increase of 13.5 from 1988. Among the modern methods, the pill is the most commonly used, followed by some kind of injectable method. In 1993, those who were practicing contraception half of them were using modern methods. In 2003 three-fourths are using modern methods.Comparing urban and rural areas, a greater proportion of married women in the urban areas are currently using a method of contraception than their rural counterparts. Greater Accra shows the highest proportion of usage for any method (27 percent) and for any modern method (11 percent). The overall level of use is lowest in the Western region (8 percent). There is a positive relationship between the level of educational attainment and current use of contraception among currently married women. This relationship is maintained for both modern and traditional methods. It is interesting to note that higher proportions of women with primary and middle education use the pill more than those with higher education. The higher education group is more likely than other groups to be using the IUD, condom and foaming tablets, as well as periodic abstinence. Women in the two lower education groups are more likely to use female sterilization than other women. This difference is probably a reflection of the differential age distribution between the two groups (i.e., the less educated women tend to be older than the more educated women). ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]