Contraceptive Use among Adolescents: Evidence from a Suburb of Tema Metropolis in Ghana, 2018

Abstract

Background:

The increasing sexual activities among adolescents today place them at greater risk of unintended pregnancies and STIs, including HIV/AIDS. Despite evidence suggesting increasing contraceptive usage amongst adolescents in Ghana, not much is known about contraceptive prevalence and determinants among these adolescents. The current study sets out to determine the knowledge and factors influencing usage of contraception among adolescents in the Kwesi Plange Electoral Area within the Tema Metropolis in Ghana.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among purposively selected adolescents (aged 15–19 years) using a structured questionnaire. Face-to-face interview was conducted with adolescents in the Kwesi Plange Electoral Area of Ghana. A univariate descriptive analysis was carried out on key variables to offer a general overview of the respondents. Pearson’s Chi-square tests were used to test the association between selected demographic indicators and contraceptive use by respondents. A multivariate logistic regression model was then used to predict the level of significance of predictors of contraceptive usage.

Results:

A total of 200 respondents were included in the study with 82 being sexually active. The contraceptive prevalence among sexually active adolescents in Kwesi Plange Electoral Area was 49% (male-48%, female-52%). Only half of the sexually active adolescents used a contraceptive. Knowledge of contraception and knowledge of various methods among the respondents was 71% and 88% respectively. Respondent’s demographic factors were not significantly associated with contraceptive use. Contraceptive use was significantly associated with the number of sexual partners (p<0.008). Knowledge of STIs showed significant association with contraceptive use. Adolescents who had knowledge of STI were four times more likely to use contraceptives compared to those who had no knowledge of STIs (OR = 4.0, p=0.03).

Conclusion:

Even though a high number of adolescents knew about contraception and the methods, this knowledge did not influence usage among them. It is recommended that peer educators be trained to enhance adolescent sexual reproductive health education especially among females to improve contraceptive use among adolescent. The designated “Adolescent Corner” facilities in the geographical area should collaborate with teachers to provide adequate information on contraception to adolescents.