A community based study of contraceptive use among adolescents in Chorkor, a suburb of Accra
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Date
SEPTEMBER, 2019
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Abstract
Introduction
Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancies among
adolescents through effective contraceptive use is a global public health challenge in adolescent
reproductive health matters. Contraception is defined as the use of a drug or device to prevent
pregnancy before or after unprotected sexual intercourse.
Aim
The main research objective of this study is to examine the use of contraceptives among
adolescents in the Chorkor community, a suburb of Accra.
Methodology
This survey adopted a cross-sectional study design. Data was collected with a structured
questionnaire which examined the demographic characteristics of the adolescents and questions
relating to the objectives in the study. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Data was
analysed descriptively and presented as counts and proportions for categorical variables.
Univariate and multivariate analysis were done to establish associations among variables.
Multiple logistics regression model was employed to calculate both adjusted and unadjusted odds
ratios. Odds ratios outcomes was accepted at the 95% confidence interval and a 0.05 level of
significance. Findings
There were a total of 206 (48.4 %) males and 220 (51.6 %) females. The average age for the
study was 14.8 years with a standard deviation of 2.0 years. The minimum age recorded was 11
years and the maximum age was 19 years.
The main importance derived from the use of contraceptives by the adolescents is the avoidance
of unwanted or unplanned pregnancies and the spread of STDs/STIs. 95.3 % of participants had
low level of knowledge about contraceptives.
There was no significant difference in gender for level of knowledge of contraceptives and the
types of contraceptives available to the adolescents (p-value = 0.498). The overall prevalence of
contraceptive use among the adolescents was 21.6 %. Willingness to continue with the use of
contraceptives among adolescents was 97.3 %. Factors influencing the use of contraceptives
among the adolescents included; age, education and want to avoid STDs. The methods of
contraceptives currently in use by adolescents in the Chorkor community includes; condoms,
implant/injectable, IUD, natural methods, periodic abstinence and pills. in the Chorkor
community.
Barriers to the use of contraceptive among adolescents were; cost of contraceptives, limited
knowledge about the use of contraceptives, religious beliefs and availability of contraceptives.
Conclusion
The use of contraceptives among adolescents in the Chorkor community is very low although
adolescents may have knowledge in at least one contraceptive method. There is a need for
continuous education on the use and importance of contraceptives through various social-media
platforms.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, African Institute of Sanitationa Waste Management, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Master of Science in Environment and Public Health Degree.