Contraceptive Knowledge And Preferences Among Adolescents In The Ledzokukukrowor Municipal Assembly

Abstract

Background The proportion of unmarried adolescents who are sexually experienced is of public-health interest. These adolescents are at risk of unintended pregnancies and contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) during this period. According to the World Health Organization, about 16 million adolescent girls between the ages of 15 to 19 years have unintended pregnancies every year, globally. This study sought to determine the knowledge on contraception and preferred type of contraception among adolescents. Method The study was a descriptive cross sectional study. Questionnaires on contraception knowledge and preferences were administered to three hundred and fifty five adolescents between the ages of 15-19. Items on the questionnaire included knowledge on contraceptives, use, preference, sources of contraceptive information, self-efficacy religious beliefs and adolescent contraceptive use. Results Three hundred and twenty three adolescents (90.99%) had average knowledge on contraceptives. Teachers were the main source of contraceptive information followed by health workers and parents, accounting for 51.55%, 38.31% and 27.89% of respondents respectively. Mean age at first sex was recorded at 14.73 years (SD 2.27). Choice of contraceptive use was not statistically associated with the following socio-demographic characteristics: age of the respondent at first sex, sex of respondent, educational level and religion (p>0.05). Conclusion A large proportion of adolescents had average knowledge on contraception and the condom was the most known contraceptive method among the respondents. The main sources of information on contraceptives and sexual relationships were teachers, parents and health workers who were considered knowledgeable about such topics. Adolescents were also generally confident about discussing contraceptives with others and insisting on its use. There is the need to educate adolescents on sexual and reproductive health issues as well as family planning methods through intensive advocacy.