Data Sheet 1_Determinants and dynamics of repeat unsafe abortion in Ghana—a mixed-method study at Tema General Hospital.docx

All statistical analyses were performed in R, with a significance level of 0.05.</p>Results<p>Age at sexual debut was the strongest independent predictor of repeat unsafe abortion, with over 14-fold higher odds among women who debuted at 15–19 versus later (AOR = 14.35, 95% CI: 2.30–170.29, p = 0.003), corroborated by qualitative accounts of early, unplanned pregnancies. Higher education showed a non-significant protective trend (AOR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.05–1.06, p = 0.062), echoed in accounts of “recovery literacy” among educated women.

The model explained 47% of the variance in repeat-abortion status (pseudo-R² = 0.466). A widespread sense of “unpreparedness,” linked to financial instability and partner unreliability, led 70.6% of participants to rely on informal networks for at-home misoprostol, often unaware of complications.</p>Conclusion<p>These findings underscore the urgent need for interventions to address the high rates of unsafe abortions in Ghana.

There is a need for improved sexual education, promotion of contraceptive utilisation, and providing accurate information about safe and legal abortion options.</p>