By Roselyn Ganyaglo
The 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey GDHS report reveals an alarming rate of childbirth in rural areas.
The survey shows that 15 percent of adolescents between ages 15 and 19 have never been pregnant.
Out of this, 11 percent have given birth and four percent have never had a pregnancy loss.
According to the Deputy Government Statistician, Dr. Faustina Frempong Ainguah, at a disermination workshop, Savannah region recorded the highest data of 26 percent in teenage pregnancy, compared to six percent in Greater Accra.
The report also identified North East and Oti regions recording high figures in child pregnancies.
The dissemination which focused on fertility rate and family planning shows that the total fertility rate has decreased from 4.2 children per woman in 2014 to 3.9 children per woman in 2022. 30 percent of married women and 38 percent of married men want to delay childbearing and 30 percent of married women and 27 percent of married men want no more children.
Explaining the data on teenage pregnancy, Deputy Government Statistician, Dr. Faustina Frempong Ainguah said regional variations are stark across several health indicators. Adding that wealth and education remain key drivers in addressing health challenges at the individual level
Director of Clinical Care at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Lawrence Ofori -Biadu observed that timely access and quality service provided are the parameters that contribute to morbidity. He called for improved systems and institutions to ĺppĺ⁰p
The survey shows that of all pregnancies ending in the three years before the survey, 82 percent resulted in live births and 18 percent in pregnancy losses.
