Use of contraceptives among adolescents in Kintampo, Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Use of contraceptives among adolescents in Kintampo, Ghana: a cross-sectional study Ellen Abrafi Boamah Kwaku Poku Asante, Emmanuel Mahama, Grace Manu, Emmanuel Kwesi Ayipah, Elisha Adeniji, Seth Owusu-Agyei Kintampo Health Research Center, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo, Ghana Introduction: The use of contraceptives is essential in preventing unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and abortion-related complications that expose adolescents to health-related risks such as infertility and sometimes death. Objective: To assess contraceptive use among adolescents as evidence to develop appropriate interventions for adolescent sexual health programs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using both quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted among 793 male and female adolescents (aged 15–19 years) in the Kintampo area of Ghana from October 2010–May 2011. Results: Knowledge of at least one contraceptive method was high (88.9%) among adolescents of both sexes (males 92.1% and females 86.6%). Knowledge of male condoms was highest (84.0%), and it was the most common contraceptive method used (82.0%). The use of other methods such as pills (7.9%), injection (0.9%), and foam (0.3%), amongst others, was low. About 22.9% of adolescents used contraceptives consistently. Among adolescents, consistent contraceptive use was significantly associated with discussions of contraceptive use between partners (P