Factors Influencing Adolescents Usage of Modern Contraceptives in the Nabdam District

Abstract

The use of modern contraceptive among adolescents is still low in many low – income countries, including Ghana. Despite the low level of contraceptive prevalence among adolescents and the high teenage pregnancy rates, few studies have been done especially in the Nabdam district of Ghana, to examine the factors that influence modern contraceptive use among adolescent in the Nabdam district, an area where teenage pregnancy is high. This study aimed to determine the factors that influence adolescents’ usage of modern contraceptives in the Nabdam district. A cross sectional survey design was employed. Structured closed ended questionnaire was used to collect data on adolescents’ knowledge, use of modern contraceptives and their sexual behaviors. Descriptive, bivariate and logistic regression analytic technique was used to analyze the data. Results shows that, 87.6% respondents had heard about modern contraceptives. Notwithstanding this, modern contraceptive usage among adolescents in the Nabdam district is low. Among contraceptive users (22.0%), 54.4% used long term contraceptive methods where as 45.6% used short term methods. Socio – demographic factors that were significantly associated with modern contraceptive use included age, marital status and educational status. Other factors such as religious beliefs, peer influence, partner consent, perception of society (stigmatization), availability of modern contraceptives and positive attitude of health workers were also significantly associated with modern contraceptive use. Based on these findings it is recommended that, both GHS and GES intensify education on adolescent sexual and reproductive health in both communities and schools, also, GHS should organize training on customer care and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) for health workers among others. This will enhance an increase in the prevalence of modern contraceptive use among adolescents.