Emergency Contraceptive Use Among Adolescents in the Ayawaso West Municipality of Ghana.

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescents represent a critical segment of the population worldwide, facing unique challenges and opportunities in navigating their reproductive health . Barriers to emergency contraceptives impact on the reproductive health outcomes and overall wellbeing of sexually active adolescents. Objective: This study aims to investigate the use of emergency contraceptives among adolescents in the Ayawaso West Municipality of Ghana. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional design was employed using a quantitative data collection approach. A total of 431 female adolescents aged 10-19 years from the Ayawaso West Municipality participated in the study. Data were collected using an interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Chi square test was conducted to establish relationship between the dependent (Emergency contraceptive use) and independent variables (Sociodemographic factors; knowledge of EC, Sexual acitivity, Communication factors; educational level . Logistic regression with a generated odds ratios and their respective confidence intervals were used to identify predictors of EC use among adolescents. Knowledge levels were assessed through a series of awareness question, the results were presented as frequencies and percentages. Level of significance was set at p<0.05 and data were presented in figures, graphs and tables. Results: About 202 (46.9%) of participants were aged 10-14years whilst 229 (53.1%) were aged 15-19years. Approximately 19.26% of participants reported use of emergency contraceptives. 118 (27.4%) were sexually active. Of these 118, majority (57.6%) were engaged in sex with one sexual partner. The findings showed that a majority of the respondents 57.8% had heard of emergency contraceptives. Despite high awareness misconceptions and barriers related to cost (36.2%) and accessibility (41.5%) existed. Among sexually active adolescents, the odds of emergency contraceptive use was high ( OR=66.49, 95% CI=30.00-147.38, p<0.001) however, sexually active adolescent indicating one partner were less likely to use ECs compared to those with multiple sexual partners (OR=0.32, 95% CI=0.14-0.72, p<0.009). Conclusion: The study revealed a low prevalence (19.26%) of emergency contraceptives use among adolescents in the Ayawaso West municipality. Improving accessibility, education, and subsidizing costs can enhance contraceptive use among adolescents.