Social Barriers that Affect the Non-Use of Contraceptives among Adolescents in the Gomoa East District

Abstract

The study set out to examine the social barriers that affect contraceptive non-use among adolescents in the Gomoa East district. The Gomoa East district was selected for the study due to its high rate of teenage pregnancies associated with high birth rates, and maternal morbidity. The study was carried out among 238 in-school and out of school adolescent males and females. Two secondary schools were purposively selected (one urban and one rural) and the out of school adolescents from three villages groups at different parts of the district. A systematic sampling technique was used to select the in-school respondents to obtain a representative sample for the study and to ensure valid generalization. Ethical approval was sought from the Ghana Health Service Ethical Review Board and permission from school authorities and parents. . The findings of the study indicated that more than half (52%) of the respondents had had sex before of which 46% were still sexually active. Majority of respondents have heard of condoms (84.5%), pills and abstinence and sources of knowledge include the media, friends, teachers and health workers. About 42% ever used contraceptives with condom use and pills being the most frequently used. Generally ever use of contraceptive among those who ever had sex was very high (81%). However, discontinuation of use was equally high (40%) among those who ever used a method. Perceive benefits for contraceptives were to delay pregnancy in order to complete school/acquire skills (36%), marry before getting pregnancy (37%), to avoid teenage pregnancy (25%) or ̳spoil pregnancy‘(2%). Among barriers to non- use by respondents were side effects (34%) opposition from partners/parents (7.3%), infertility (20%) religious influence (24%) attitudes of heath workers (10.6%). Another obstacle is opposition from partner‘s most especially male partners. Irrespective of the barriers to contraceptive use, some respondents still used a method of contraception (42%). The major conclusions that can be drawn from the findings of the study are: the HBM is beneficial in helping to assess motivation among adolescents for either use or non–use of contraceptives. Respondents were able to numerate the negative consequences of non-use of contraceptives like getting pregnant Contraception knowledge should urgently be improved among adolescents and youth- friendly contraceptive services be provided by both public Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ghana Education Service (GES) as well as Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Messages should also be tailored to help modify adolescents‘ perceptions of risk to reduce desire for early childbirth.