WOMEN’S HEALTH IN ACCRA: EVIDENCE FROM THE 2003 WOMEN’S HEALTH STUDY IN ACCRA, GHANA

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at examining women’s health in Accra, Ghana. The study consisted of women aged 18 and over in the City of Accra. The data used for the study were collected from Women’s Health Survey in Accra, 2003. The sample size was 3,200 women.A descriptive analysis was used to analyse the characteristics of respondents, while chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between area of residence, age and specific health conditions. The health status of women relates to specific health conditions.Six variables, which constituted the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of respondents, were used in the study. The variables include age, marital status, level of education attained, socio-economic area of residence, religion and occupation.The study showed that most of the women (31.1 percent) were in age group 35-54. General health deteriorated with increase in age and younger women had better health than older women. Sexual behaviour was worse among younger women while reproductive health was also worse among the older ages evidenced in the high prevalence of diseases among older ages. Younger age groups were found to engage in more leisure activities than the others, and they have better nutrition but highest risk factors. Risk factors for non-communicable diseases were found to be quite high in the population. Vigorous activities were minimal among the population but moderate activities were performed by about 22 percent of the women population. Few of the respondents complained of having difficulty with self care and nutritional level is alsohigh except for the fact that, portions of the population reported of missing meals due to the problem of affordability.Modem medical facilities were found to be patronized by a very high proportion of population as more than half of the women also tried to take steps to improve their health. Differences in diseases were found in relation to the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents.The chi-square test revealed that there is no relationship between where people live and diseases. On the other hand, there was a significant relationship between age of women and non-communicable diseases. It would therefore be necessary for government to see these diseases not only as a medical problem but also as a socio-economic problem that affects human resource development and in the long run, the nation’s development for necessary interventions.