Abstract:

Criminal abortion is common among women despite its effects; physical psychological and physiological. This research was conducted at Mpobi community of Aboaso in the Afigya Kwabre District in the Ashanti region, of Ghana. The aim of the research was to determine the perception of women at Mpobi community on criminal abortion and its effects. A simple random technique was used to select the area from other localities. By this method each area had an equal chance of being selected. After selecting the area, an accidental method was used to select thirty women from their various homes. With this method, a data was taken from the women who were available and meet the research criteria. The target population was on women from age of 13 and above. A designed questionnaire was administered on the sample. Analysis of data was by transforming the raw data into statistical forms such as figures, tables and percentages.

The findings indicated that the issue of criminal abortion was high among adolescents and married women who have too many children; however knowledge on criminal abortion among the women were adequate.

The main factors accounted for the high incidence of criminal abortion in the community were, having too many children, what perception is and how does person channel it appropriately and contraceptive failure.

Base on the findings some recommendations were made which included;

The government should develop solid policies to restrict criminal abortions, expand and provide well equipped laboratories in most remote clinics and hospitals in communities for easy access to be checked for which family planning method is suitable for each person.

The affluent, private thriving businesses and NGO's should come cooperatively to aid and make family planning methods, screening and medications free or at least cost a penny for to aid prevent criminal abortion.

There is a need for proper education about the harmfulness of criminal abortion and the after effects of abortion. Proper education, awareness, training session and guidance should also be given to the people who are involved in criminal abortion about the after effects of the abortion.

Family planning methods should be taught to the adolescent by their immediate parents, guardian and any other respected people in the community.

The church and various Religious faith should be endowed with knowledgeable personnels who can help assimilate to the adolescent the righteous acts of not ending the life of a growing foetus on the account of unexpected results from gratifying the fleshly unsuccummable strong desire for sex.

The adolescent should be raised well with proper standards to bring in consciousness that what one perception starts from the heart through the sensual gates of the body especially the eyes, so as to gain requisite knowledge, self-help and channelling the perceived thoughts with the appropriate approach.

Illegal abortion cases should also be restricted by paying attention to the lifestyle of our growing female wards. The government, persons and personnel and the matured should each play his role in this regard.

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