Factors Influencing Uptake of Modern Contraceptives among Adolescents in Yendi Municipality, Northern Ghana.

Abstract

The use of modern contraceptives is still a challenge in many low income countries like Ghana. Amidst the low level of uptake of contraceptive use and increasing teenage pregnancies in the Northern region of Ghana, few studies have addressed the reasons why adolescents refuse to use modern contraceptive and go ahead to engage in unsafe sex. A cross-sectional study design was used. Well-structured close and open ended questionnaire was used to collect data on proportion of adolescents (10-19 years) using modern contraceptive, knowledge of adolescents on modern contraceptives and factors that influence contraceptive use among adolescents. Descriptive, bivariate and logistic analytic technique was used to analyze data collected. Results obtained from the field indicates that 93% of the respondents confirmed to have heard of modern contraceptives before. Nonetheless, modern contraceptive uptake among adolescents is low (36.3%) for the 38% of participants who were found to be sexually active. Among contraceptive users, 70.9% were using condoms and some 17.5% confirmed to be using long term methods like injectable. Socio-demographic factors that were significantly associated with modern contraceptive use included religion and culture. Other factors such as health worker attitude, structural arrangement, privacy and confidentiality were also significantly associated with modern contraceptive use. Based on the study findings it is recommended that, both GES and GHS should intensify adolescent sexual and reproductive health education. Also GHS should educate healthcare providers on how to ensure privacy and confidentiality in serving adolescents who seek for sexual and reproductive health.