Sexual behaviour and contraceptive uptake among female adolescents (15-19 years): A cross-sectional study in Sagnarigu Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

There are reports of low utilization of contraception among adolescent females in developing countries. However, research on sexual behaviour and contraceptive uptake among female adolescents is scare in the Sagnarigu Municipality although the Municipality has a very high youthful population. The objective of the study was to assess the sexual behaviour and contraceptive uptake among adolescent females in Sagnarigu Municipality, Northern Region, Ghana. A cross-sectional study was adopted where 165 adolescent females (15-19 years) were randomly selected. The main tools for data collection were semi-structured questionnaires. For the data analysis, proportions of response variables were generated using statistical product and service solutions, version 24.0. The study revealed that among those who reported having sex in the past 12 months before the survey, over two-thirds of the participants have used at least one method of contraception. The results also showed that injectable was the leading form of contraception among both past and current users of contraceptive methods. Additionally, most of the respondents obtained their contraceptive methods from health facilities. We also established that avoidance of pregnancies was the main reason for using contraception. However, cultural beliefs, religion, fear of side effects were the reasons for non-use of contraceptives. The study further revealed that early initiation of sex among the participants was common. Nevertheless, some of the participants did not use contraceptives during sexual intercourse. The study recommended effective education on the types and uses of contraceptives among adolescents in the municipality.

Determinants and prevalence of modern contraceptive use among sexually active female youth in the Berekum East Municipality, Ghana

“…Our study found a significant difference in contraceptive use between respondents affiliated with the Islamic religion and Christianity. Islamic respondents reported lower use of contraceptives compared to their Christian counterparts, which is consistent with previous studies conducted in Ghana [ 17 , 43 ]. Kumbeni et al (2019) presented a divergent perspective on the topic of contraceptive use by revealing significant variations in usage rates between Muslims and Christians.…”

“…The reported side effects of contraceptives have been identified as a common obstacle to contraceptive use, as supported by various studies. Concerns about potential side effects can have a notable influence on an individual’s choice to utilize contraceptives [ 17 , 22 , 25 , 39 ]. These findings underscored the importance of good education and counselling in reducing lack of contraceptive desire among sexually active young women.…”

“…Currently, modern contraceptive rates stand at 22.2% among all women in Ghana [14]. Despite the benefit of family planning and contraceptive, uptake of contraceptives among adolescents is affected by numerous socio-cultural and demographic factors [15,16] which includes cultural beliefs, peer influence, religion, and fear of side effects [17,18] father's educational background and prior discussion of contraceptive use with a partner [19,20] age of adolescent, education, work status, knowledge of ovulatory cycle, visit of health facility, non-youth-friendly health services and marital status [21,22] spouses or partners made the decision for them to utilize contraception [23]. Other health-related factors reported includes counselling on contraceptive and health provider attitudes [24,25].…”

Socioeconomic, demographic and obstetric factors associated with having four or more ANC at the Cuamba Health Facility, Niassa Province

“…The beginning of ANC in the rst trimester of pregnancy was associated with having 4 or more ANCs. This nding is discordant with the nding (17) of the study on "Determinants of antenatal care utilization among mothers, adolescents in Yendi Municipality of Northern Region of Ghana". The differences found between our study and the study carried out in Ghana may be due to age differences in the samples considered.…”

Predisposing and enabling factors influencing the utilisation of maternal healthcare services at fishing landing sites in Buikwe district, Uganda

“…[23][24][25][26] In this study marital status had a higher likelihood to influence the use of maternal healthcare services at the fishing lading sites which was in concordance with a study by Ziblim et al that found a strong connection between marital status and maternal health service utilization, however inconsistent with other similar studies by Ndugga et al and Somefun et al who found that statistically age, level of education, number of children were influencing predisposing factors for the mother's use of maternity care services. [27][28][29] The difference in the factors for utilisation of maternal healthcare services could be attributed to different study area, different population and difference in the methodologies used in the studies. Single women were twice more likely to use maternal health services than those who were divorced which agrees with research done in Malawi.…”