University of Ghana Reports Findings in Managed Care (Socioeconomic determinants of use and choice of modern contraceptive methods in Ghana): Managed Care

2022 JUN 01 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- New research on Managed Care is the subject of a report. According to news reporting from Accra, Ghana, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, “The slow pace of fertility decline in Africa relative to other parts of the world has important implications for the region’s economic development. Modern contraceptive use is seen as important population control and family planning strategy by governments worldwide.”

The news correspondents obtained a quote from the research from the University of Ghana, “This paper examines the socioeconomic determinants of modern contraceptive use and choice among Ghanaian men and women. We use the most recent and nationally representative Ghana Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2014. The analysis is observational, with no causal implications. Bivariate and multivariate methods are used to analyse the data. We first use logistic regression to explore the correlates of modern contraceptive use among Ghanaian men and women. Second, we explore the socioeconomic factors influencing the choice of modern contraceptive methods among contraceptive users using multinomial logistic regression. We classify the modern methods of contraception into three groups: long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), short-acting contraceptives (SAC), and permanent contraceptives. Marital status proves to be the most significant predictor for both men and women, with women in monogamous unions having a greater propensity to use modern methods of contraception (OR = 1.4, p< 0.00). We also find that different factors affect the use and choice of modern methods of contraception among men and women in Ghana. Muslim men had a higher likelihood than Catholics to choose the permanent (sterilisation) method (OR = 11.9, p< 0.05), while their female counterparts were 0.25 times less likely to choose sterilisation over SAC (p < 0.05). Moreover, women who ever tested for HIV had higher use of LAC than the SAC ((RRR = 1.6, p< 0.01). The modern contraceptive users (women) with at most basic education were more likely than those with tertiary education to choose LAC over SAC. Finally, rural women with health insurance were 0.75 times (p < 0.01) less likely to use modern methods of contraception. The paper reiterates the need to intensify and sustain public health education on the health benefits of using modern methods of contraception among the adult population. The paper suggests that including family planning services on Ghana’s national health insurance benefits package is commendable.”

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: “It can promote modern contraceptive use and curtail unwarranted population growth.”

For more information on this research see: Socioeconomic determinants of use and choice of modern contraceptive methods in Ghana. Tropical Medicine and Health, 2022;50(1):33.

Our news journalists report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Edward Nketiah-Amponsah, Dept. of Economics, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana. Additional authors for this research include Samuel Ampaw and Priscilla Twumasi Baffour.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-022-00424-5. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

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