Traditional Menstrual Practices: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender Implications for Adolescent Girls

Menstruation is still considered by some as waste blood and dirty, leading to the imposition of restrictions on girls at menarche. A total of 300 respondents aged 13-19 years from 3 ethnic groups in two regions of Ghana participated in the study. A significant relationship exists between levels of restrictions and exposure to sexual risks (

Knowledge, Perceptions and Ever Use of Modern Contraception among Women in the Ga East District, Ghana

A survey of 332 women, ages 15-49 years, was carried out in the Ga East district of Ghana to identify community knowledge, perceptions, and factors associated with ever using modern family planning (FP). Knowledge of modern FP was almost universal (97 percent) although knowledge of more than three methods was 56 percent. About 60 percent of all, and 65 percent of married respondents reported ever use of a modern method. Among ever users, 82 percent thought contraceptives were effective for birth control. However, one-third did not consider modern FP safe. About 20 percent indicated their male partner as a barrier, and 65 percent of users reported at least one side effect. In a multivariate model that controlled for age, education, religion, and occupation, being married remained significantlyassociated (OR=2.14; p=0.01) with ever use of a modern contraceptive method. Interventions are needed to address service- and knowledge-related barriers to use (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[4]: 27-32)

Effect of informal financial support for health care on health Insurance uptake: Evidence from a mixed-methods study in Tamale metropolis of northern Ghana

Attempts to study the determinants of health insurance enrollment in resource‐poor settings have often given less consideration to the potential influence of informal risk‐sharing systems on individuals and households' decisions about health insurance. This paper contributes to existing discussions in this area by examining the effect of informal financial support for health care, an example of informal risk‐sharing arrangement, on enrollment in the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). It is based on a mixed‐methods research in Tamale metropolis of northern Ghana. The study found widespread availability and reliance on informal support among low‐income households to finance out‐of‐pocket health‐care expenditure. Informal financial support for enrollment into the NHIS was noted to be less available. The study further found less strong but suggestive evidence that the perceived availability of informal financial support for health care by individuals diminishes their enrollment in the NHIS. The paper emphasizes the need for theory and policy on health insurance uptake in resource‐constrained settings to consider existing informal risk‐sharing arrangements as much as other known determinants of enrollment