Utilization of Reproductive Health Services in Ghana

Abstract

Reproductive health is an essential part of general health that it sets the stage for health beyond the reproductive years and also affects the health of the next generation. In many developing countries, however, the availability as well as the consumption of reproductive health services is constrained by a combination of economic and social factors, an understanding of which can be instrumental in formulating and implementing policies that result in improved health. The current study therefore assesses utilization of reproductive health services in Ghana using a random sample of 200. The results of the probit analysis employed show that being married and income positively influence reproductive health services utilization, while price negatively affects it. In the light of the findings thus policy should target the unmarried, and also provide incentives to the poor in the form of price subsidy if the aim is to enhance utilization of the services.

Keywords: Reproductive health, binary probit, marginal effect, utilization, Ghana