The Maternity Protection Status of Working Mothers in Ghana

Abstract

Background: Maternal protection and the well-being of women in their reproductive age had gained increasing attention in global discourse. This study investigated the maternity protection status of women in Ghana. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted with secondary data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (2014). STATA 17.0 statistical software was used to analyze the data retrieved. Results: The study used a sample of 1,598 participants. The majority were literate (76%) and identified as Christians (76%). Urban residents account for 51% of the sample, with the Akan ethnic group being predominant. Male household heads were more common (70.46%), and most participants worked in the informal sector (63.09%). Notably, 90.18% were not currently pregnant, and the majority did not have access to paid maternity leave (90.86%), while only 9.14% received paid maternity leave, primarily from their employers (92.7%). Significant associations were found in factors influencing maternity protection status. Age played a role, with odds ratios ranging from 3.28 (95% CI: 0.91-11.83) to 4.63 (95% CI: 1.61-15.2) for different age groups compared to the reference group (20-24). Education also significantly affected maternity protection status, with odds ratios ranging from 0.23 (95% CI: 0.14-0.40) to 0.21 (95% CI: 0.15-0.29) for women with different educational backgrounds compared to secondary education. Knowledge of ovulatory cycles, breastfeeding practices, occupation type, and health insurance coverage were associated with maternity protection status. Conclusion: This study provided vital insights into the complexities of maternity protection status among working mothers in the formal sector in Ghana. The findings emphasized the need for policy interventions and highlight regional disparities, awareness levels, and socio-economic influences on maternity protection. This study was in consonant with global efforts to empower women in their reproductive age and improved their overall well-being.