Despite the paucity of literature on unintended pregnancies in Africa, the phenomenon is high, especially among women in the early years of their reproductive health.
Approximately 14 million unintended pregnancies are recorded annually in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
The Medical Superintendent of Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Hospital, Dr Jonathan Mensah, has cautioned women to avoid unplanned pregnancies as they have fun and celebrate the Christmas Festival.
In an exclusive interview with Sefwinews.com, the Medical Doctor disclosed that one major problem affecting the nation is unplanned pregnancies from married women and teenagers.
Dr Jonathan Mensah said people living abroad plan ahead of their pregnancies, seek medical attention, but most Ghanaians do not and go by medical advice.
He stated that married women should always encourage family planning to check the spacing of their children to enable them to have effective children upbringing.
Also, since poverty and other related difficulties don’t encourage one to give birth to as many children whose upbringing would be a problem, he would advise them to have their pregnancies planned to all mentioned.
Dr Jonathan Mensah urged women to have their pregnancies planned to help deal with related effects of unwanted pregnancies many women face.
Since teenage pregnancy has been one of the major problems the nation has been combating, the Ministry of Education, the Gender Ministry and other agencies have added inputs to end teenage pregnancy in the country.
The Medical Superintendent of Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Hospital revealed that his facility usually records between fourteen and fifteen cases of teenage pregnancy annually.
He called on parents and guardians to monitor their children and prevent them from early pregnancies.
