Single motherhood in Ghana: analysis of trends and predictors using demographic and health survey data

This study examines trends and predictors of single motherhood in Ghana from 1993 to 2014 using data from five waves of the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. The proportion of single mothers significantly increased from 14.1% to 19.5% during this period. Premarital birth was the primary pathway. Factors associated with a decreased likelihood of single motherhood included older age at first sex and first birth, contraceptive use, and Islamic religious affiliation. Higher economic status also showed a negative association with single motherhood. The findings highlight the overrepresentation of single mothers among the economically poor and suggest policies should focus on empowering single mothers and their children.

Castro Ayebeng, Kwamena Sekyi Dickson, Abdul-Aziz Seidu, Joshua Amo-Adjei