Male characteristics and contraception in four districts of the central region, Ghana

Abstract Background A lack of male involvement in contraception can negatively affect its practice. To promote male participation in family planning, there is a dire need to understand male attributes that play a role in contraception. This study focuses on the male characteristics that influence the practice of traditional and modern methods of contraception. Methods This study is a secondary analysis of quantitative data obtained from the baseline assessment of the Ghana Community-Based Action Teams Study that aimed to prevent violence against women in the Central Region of Ghana in 2016. The analysis included 1742 partnered males aged 18–60 years. Chi-square test, t-test and logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between male characteristics and the practice of contraception (significance level = 0.05). Results The prevalence of contraception was 24.4% (95% CI = 20.8–28.5). Significant male characteristics that were positively associated with the practice of contraception in adjusted models were: post-primary education (AOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.27–3.04), perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.49–2.26), and the number of main sexual partners (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.15–2.75). However, wanting the first child (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.54–0.94) and male controlling behaviour (AOR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.49–0.99) statistically significantly associated with reduced odds of practicing contraception. Conclusion Male partner characteristics influence the practice of contraception. Family planning sensitization and education programs should target males who are less likely to practice contraception

Evaluation of the rural response system intervention to prevent violence against women: findings from a community-randomised controlled trial in the Central Region of Ghana

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects one in three women globally and undermines women’s human rights, social and economic development, and health, hence the need for integrated interventions involving communities in its prevention. Objective: This community-randomised controlled trial evaluated the Rural Response System (RRS) intervention, which uses Community Based Action Teams to prevent IPV by raising awareness and supporting survivors, compared to no intervention. Methods: Two districts of the Central Region of Ghana were randomly allocated to each arm. Data were collected by repeated, randomly sampled, household surveys, conducted at baseline (2000 women, 2126 men) and 24 months later (2198 women, 2328 men). The analysis used a difference in difference (DID) approach, adjusted for age and exposure to violence in childhood. Results: In intervention communities, women’s past year experience of sexual IPV reduced from 17.1% to 7.7% versus 9.3% to 8.0% in the control communities (DID = −9.3(95%CI; −17.5,−1.0), p = 0.030). The prevalence of past-year physical IPV among women in the intervention communities reduced from 16.5% to 8.3% versus 14.6% to 10.9% in the controls (DID = −4.2(−12,3.6), p = 0.289). The prevalence of severe IPV experienced by women reduced from 21.2% to 11.6% in intervention versus 17.3% to 11.4% in controls (DID = −3.7(−12.5,5.1), p = 0.408). The direction of impact of the intervention on violence perpetrated by men was more towards a reduction but changes were not statistically significant. Emotional IPV perpetration was significantly lower (DID = −15.0(−28.5, −1.7), p = 0.031). Women’s depression scores and reports of male partner controlling behaviour significantly also reduced in the intervention arm compared to those in the control arm (DID = −4.8(−8.0,−1.5), p = 0.005; DID = −2.7(−3.3,−1.0), p = 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the RRS intervention reduced women’s experiences of IPV, depression, and partner controlling behaviour and some evidence of men’s reported reductions in the perpetration of IPV. The RRS intervention warrants careful scale-up in Ghana and further research

Association of baseline characteristics with diagnosis of PIH among cohort.

<p>Association of baseline characteristics with diagnosis of PIH among cohort.</p

Blood pressure patterns and body mass index status in pregnancy: An assessment among women reporting for antenatal care at the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital, Ghana

<div><p>Background</p><p>Maternal obesity in pregnancy has been linked with increased risk of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). In some tertiary referral hospitals in Ghana, PIH is the leading cause of institutional maternal mortality.</p><p>Objective</p><p>To evaluate blood pressure changes during pregnancy amongst different body mass index (BMI) groups and how this relates to the risk of developing PIH.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Women who had a dating ultrasound before 20 weeks gestation and registering for antenatal care at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, between February and December 2013 and met the inclusion criteria were recruited into a cohort study. BMI was assessed at baseline. Blood pressure measurements were taken at (±2) 24, 28 and 36 weeks. Primary outcome measure of interest during follow-up was a diagnosis of PIH at these points. BP changes during follow up at the three points were measured. Descriptive analysis of baseline factors was carried out and compared for the BMI groups. Relative risk (RR) of PIH was estimated at 95% confidence interval.</p><p>Results</p><p>Mean (SD) age for the 361 women was 30.9 (4.8) years. Incidence of PIH amongst the cohort was 10.5% (95% CI: 7.45% - 14.45%) and 40.4% and 33.0% of them were overweight and obese respectively at baseline. Pregnant women who were obese at baseline had a three-fold increased risk of PIH compared to those with normal BMI [RR = 3.01 (1.06–8.52), p = 0.04].</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Obese women have a significantly increased risk of PIH. Women should be screened at booking for obesity status. Antenatal protocols should have interventions for prevention or early detection of obesity and management of obesity to improve outcomes.</p></div

Mean blood pressure changes from baseline during follow up among the PIH groups.

<p>Mean blood pressure changes from baseline during follow up among the PIH groups.</p

Baseline characteristics of participants and comparison among different BMI groups.

<p>Baseline characteristics of participants and comparison among different BMI groups.</p

Risk of PIH among the BMI groups.

<p>Risk of PIH among the BMI groups.</p