Abstract:
This study investigates the underpinnings of CAC using data from clients and providers of CAC in the New-Juaben Municipality. Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) model is adapted to assess the underpinnings of CAC. Quantitative and qualitative data were solicited from 129 clients and 10 health professionals, respectively, in health facilities that provide CAC in the New-Juaben Municipality. Convenience and purposive sampling techniques aided data collection process in five health facilities, namely, the Regional Hospital, Koforidua, Koforidua Poly Clinic, Magazine Health Centre, Effiduase Reproductive and Child Health Centre, and Asokore Reproductive and Child Health Centre. The findings indicate that knowledge/awareness of the clients on CAC is considerably high at 3.70 on a scale of 1 to 5. Well-known contraceptives include the pill, condom, and injectables. Nonetheless, there was not much awareness of where and how CAC can be obtained. For the health professionals, family planning, counseling, child welfare, anti-natal care, post-natal care, delivery service, maternity, and outpatients’ department (OPD) are health centre services that made up CAC. More than not, clients exhibited accepting attitudes towards CAC. Findings Knowledge/awareness, attitudes and practices significantly explain 71.4% of the variability in CAC usage (p=0.000). When people are aware that safe abortion entails counseling and medication, and midwives and nurses are said to be providing family planning and safe abortion services, they gain enthusiasm to access CAC. Stigma and discrimination, restrictions by religion, time, affordability, accessibility, and negative attitudes of health staff pose challenges for clients to use CAC. The study recommends that CAC should be strengthened in terms of accessibility, finance, training of health staff, and public education. Future studies ought to focus on the quality of comprehensive abortion care.
