APPLICATION OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE AWARENESS AND USAGE OF CONTRACEPTIVE INFORMATION AMONG TEENAGERS IN THE SUNYANI EAST MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

Unplanned teenage pregnancy constitutes an important health problem whilst contraceptive services are less costly in Ghana and abortion services are increasing in most health facilities. The main objective of the study was to examine the application of information communication technology in the awareness and usage of contraceptive information among teenagers in the Sunyani East Municipality. Five specific objectives were formulated to set as a guide for the study. Descriptive cross sectional study design was used for this study with purposive and systematic random sampling technique used to sample the respondents at the study area. A sample of two hundred (200) respondents made up of 110 females and 90 males was used to gather data from students using questionnaires whiles twelve (12) respondents were interviewed from the health sector and the general public. Primary data was collected from respondents at the study area. Results from the study revealed that, the most popular contraceptive methods known by respondents are; oral contraceptives (15%), male condom (75%), injections (8%) and withdrawal (2%). The results showed that, 80% of the respondents perceived the use of ICT in accessing contraceptives as good while 20% of respondents perceived it as bad. Additionally, 131 (65.5%) respondents agreed that ICT has an effect on the sexual behaviour of teenagers while 69 (34.5%) respondents mentioned otherwise. More education on human reproductive health and contraceptives should be made available early, at the basic school level of a child’s education by the health service staff responsible for reproductive health within the municipality. Failure to www.udsspace.udsa.edu.gh iii help young people deal with sexuality and contraception leads to high incidences of pregnancy, STIs and HIV and AIDS, as well as high maternal and infant mortality. Reproductive health care services need to be available, accessible and comprehensive, provide education and allowing teenage girls to be matured and responsible persons in latter life.