Sexual Activity and Contraceptive Use Among Adolescents in Weta Senior High Technical School in the Ketu North Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana.

Abstract

Background: Adolescent sexual activity and contraceptive use remain critical public health concern in Ghana, particularly in rural communities where access to reproductive health services is limited. This study examined sexual activity patterns and contraceptive awareness, attitudes, and use among adolescents at Weta Senior High Technical School (WESTECH) in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region, Ghana. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, with 221 students selected through proportional allocation utilizing simple random sampling. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, which was analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression via SPSS. Results: Findings revealed that one-third of respondents (33.0%) reported ever having sexual intercourse, with majority initiating between ages 14–16. Awareness of contraceptives was relatively high (79.2%), yet actual use remained low (39.4%), with male condom being the most commonly used method (63.2%). Attitudes toward contraceptive use were largely negative or ambivalent, with misconceptions about infertility and religious objections widely reported. Multivariate logistic regression identified good contraceptive awareness (AOR = 2.68, p = 0.002), positive attitudes (AOR = 2.11, p = 0.021), and access to contraceptives (p = 0.008) as significant predictors of use. Conclusion: The study concludes that a substantial knowledge-practice gap exists among adolescents at WESTECH. Comprehensive, school-based reproductive health interventions targeting attitudes, misconceptions, and access barriers are urgently needed to improve contraceptive uptake and safeguard adolescent reproductive health in Ghana.