Determinants of EC Utilization among the Youth in the Tamale Municipality – A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Unintended pregnancy among the adolescent globally is very high. It poses serious health risk to them and must be addressed to save the young girls. The adolescent females are mostly in unstable relations and are most unlikely to be on regular contraceptives. Sex among them is sporadic and impromptu, hence they are unable to negotiate for safer sex, which sometimes results in unintended pregnancy. Emergency contraceptives remain the only option to prevent unintended pregnancies after unprotected sex. This study, therefore, sought to determine the factors that promote EC utilization among the Muslim youth in the Tamale metropolis of the Northern region of Ghana. A community-based cross-sectional design was adopted with a mixed method approach to collect both quantitative and qualitative data using a semi-structured questionnaire and FGD guide. A multi-staged sampling technique was used to select young Muslims, both males and females aged 15-24 years. Associated factors influencing EC use were determined using Chi-square (Chi2) and logistic regression at 95% CI and significant level set at p<0.05. Socio-demographics and socio-cultural factors influencing knowledge and utilization of EC among young Muslims were; age (OR = 22.28; 95% CI 2.97-171.85; p=0.001), marital status (OR = 0.56; 95% CI 0.34-0.93; p=0.030), education (OR = 0.19; 95% CI 0.05-0.66; p<0.001), and partner approval (OR=0.23; 95% CI 0.06-0.83; p = 0.020). Significant factors that determined EC utilization were age, educational level, marital status, and partner approval.