The health situation of women in Ghana
Reported, December 06, 2011
The health of women impacts on the health of the family and society, and so is critical for national development, and this is certainly so in Ghana. As in other cultures, socio-cultural, economic and biological factors impact on the health of Ghanaian women. Specific health interventions have focused on nutrition, reproductive health and family planning. Multi-sectoral approaches to promoting economic empowerment, education and social support networks are other important strategies.
Introduction
The target of many health policies points to a need to focus on womens health. For the health of women impacts on the health of the family and society, and so is critical for national development. In recognition of this, international and local attempts have been made to improve the health situation of women, and this has certainly been so in Ghana. Despite past efforts, the current health situation of Ghanaian women calls for a need to re-strategise. This commentary takes a critical look at the health situation of women in Ghana, and related issues.
Health status of women
The role of women in raising a healthy family and building society cannot be underestimated. Women provide for the familys basic health needs, including obtaining potable water for the household, menu planning for the familys nutritional needs, and managing healthcare needs, such as environmental hygiene in the home and community. One could say that the health of the family and society is dependant to a large extent on the health of women. Huffling observed that an essential element of a healthpromoting lifestyle is eating nutritious and healthy foods
1. Some negative traditional practices and dietary rules affect women in Ghana. Food-related superstitions and taboos and
other food restrictions on women of childbearing age, pregnant and lactating mothers, and the traditional practice of serving the best part of the meal to the male members of the household worsens the already vulnerable health situation of the majority of women
2. Statistics indicate that approximately 65% of pregnant women and 45% of nonpregnant women in Ghana are malnourished
3. In addition, it has found that many fish can be the source of certain potent chemical substances (eg methylmercury and polychlorinated biphenol), which have been shown to have severe negative impacts on both mother and fetus
4. Dovydaitis therefore cautions that all women of childbearing age should be informed of both the benefits and risks of fish consumption
5. Many health problems of women in Ghana can be related to reproduction. The 2003 GDHS revealed that maternal mortality continues to be the leading cause of death at 23.7% of women of childbearing age
Infertility is also a major reproductive health problem in Africa
Unsuccessful fertility treatment affects womens welfare and progress in life. The situation is worse for women in this part of the world where childbearing is a mark of a success. In a study on the phenomenon of women’s experience with infertility, McCarthy observed existential challenges to infertile womens sense of self, their identity, and the meaning and purpose of their lives
6. Sadly, the majority of African women in a recent study had little knowledge about human reproduction or modern treatment
options for infertility The access of women to health facilities and health workers is limited, especially for those in rural communities. The GLSS 4 indicated that although 83% of Ghanaian women seek antenatal and post-natal care from doctors and other health personnel, traditional birth attendants remain the main source of services to most pregnant and nursing mothers 7. In addition, women are mostly burdened with the care and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDs and their orphans.
Contraceptive use has been found to be very low among Ghanaians, probably due to negative socio-cultural perceptions, for instance a married woman who uses contraceptives may be suspected of having an extra-marital sexual relationship. The GLSS 4 shows that only approximately 15% of women reported that they or their partner were using a contraceptive Interventions for improving the health of women in Ghana have contributed to managing, checking and controlling the health of women. Re-strategizing to promote collaborative efforts, adopting multi-sectoral approaches, intensifying educational efforts to guide women to available health facilities, engaging women in the implementation process and targeting the most disadvantaged, such as rural women, are all expected to advance this agenda.
Credits:
OATF Kwapong Institute of Adult Education, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, West AfricMore Information at: http://www.rrh.org.au/publishedarticles/article_print_963.pdf
