Knowledge and attitudes of deaf persons towards safe abortion services in Ghana.

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.

Level of satisfaction and sexual and reproductive health needs of deaf persons in Ghana: a sequential explanatory mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: The intersection between deafness and culture in sub-Saharan African contexts such as Ghana has culminated in restricted access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. While some attention has been given to the barriers faced by deaf persons in accessing SRH services, discussion of their needs and satisfaction with SRH services is at an embryonic stage. This lends support to the use of sequential mixed-method study design to assess the level of satisfaction and SRH needs of deaf persons. METHODS: This study was guided by explanatory sequential mixed-method study design. Thus, a two-phase data collection approach was adopted. In Phase I, a 32-item questionnaire with 16 items each for satisfaction regarding SRH services and SRH needs, was used for data collection from 288 deaf persons recruited from 3 of the 16 regions in Ghana. The data were subjected to the following computations: means, t-tests, analysis of variance, correlations, and multiple regression. In Phase II, a semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from 60 participants who were drawn from the earlier pool. The interviews were subjected to thematic analysis. RESULTS: The results showed of correlation and multiple analyses showed a small relationship and significant contribution of needs in the variance of satisfaction. Also, there was a convergence between both the qualitative and quantitative data as participants confirmed the lack of consideration given to the needs of deaf persons regarding SRH service provisions. CONCLUSION: Deaf persons who took part in this study were unsatisfied with SRH services due to barriers such as sign language interpreters and inaccessible information. Consequently, they expressed the need for preferred mode of communication and expedition of awareness creation on SRH. The study findings warrant the need for policymakers to inculcate the needs of deaf person in SRH services to improve access and thus, enhance satisfaction. For instance, recommendations such as the training of health professionals in the use of sign language could be considered in future SRH policy and other implications, are discussed.

Barriers to utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among young deaf persons in Ghana.

Despite significant progress made to improve access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to the general populace in Ghana, information on the accessibility of such services to deaf persons is limited. This study investigated access to and utilization of SRH services among young female deaf persons in Ghana. Sixty deaf persons were interviewed from six metropolis/municipalities/districts in three regions of Ghana. The data were collected using focus group discussion and one-on-one interviews. The data were subjected to content analysis, leading to the identification of two broad themes. The study identified barriers at two levels: point of service delivery and barriers at the individual level. For instance, at the point of service delivery, they were claims that deaf women were victims of negative attitudes from health workers. The study concludes on the need for health policymakers to consider collaborating with the Ghana National Association of the Deaf in an effort towards designing inclusive SRH programmes.

Barriers to utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among young deaf persons in Ghana

Despite significant progress made to improve access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to the general populace in Ghana, information on the accessibility of such services to deaf persons is limited. This study investigated access to and utilization of SRH services among young female deaf persons in Ghana. Sixty deaf persons were interviewed from six metropolis/municipalities/districts in three regions of Ghana. The data were collected using focus group discussion and one-on-one interviews. The data were subjected to content analysis, leading to the identification of two broad themes. The study identified barriers at two levels: point of service delivery and barriers at the individual level. For instance, at the point of service delivery, they were claims that deaf women were victims of negative attitudes from health workers. The study concludes on the need for health policymakers to consider collaborating with the Ghana National Association of the Deaf in an effort towards designing inclusive SRH programmes.