ADOLESCENTS SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: A SURVEY OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS, GHANA

Abstract

Background/Introduction: Good knowledge, attitudes and skills on sexual and reproductive health are important conditions to promote the well-being of adolescents. The study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices on sexual and reproductive health among adolescents in the Tamale Metropolis, Northern Region, Ghana. Methods: A community based descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among the four sub-metros of Tamale. Using an electronically structured questionnaire, data comprising sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and practices of sexual and reproductive health were collected from study participants. The data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel (Version 2019) and SPSS version 24. Descriptive analysis, chi-square test and binary logistic regression models were performed. Results: The study involved 617 participants with mean age 16.5 ± 1.6 and ranged between 10 and 19 years with females being the majority [55.30% (341)]. Poor knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards sexual and reproductive health was 67.60% (417), 77.70% (479) and 67.70% (418) respectively. Knowledge score was found to be significant between category of school (p=0.070), gender (p=0.003), religion (p=0.010) and education (p=0.008). Attitudes of study participants was significantly associated with age (p<0.001), and the job of household head (p=0.038). Practices of sexual and reproductive health was significantly associated with the category of schools (p=0.044). Females were 1.6 times more likely to have sufficient knowledge on sexual and reproductive health as compared to males [AOR-1.6; 95% CI (1.13-2.30), P=0.009]. Adolescents within the ages of 10 to 15 years were 2.33 more times likely to exhibit favorable attitude towards sexual and reproductive health (SRH) right issues as compared to their colleagues between the ages of 16 to 19 years [AOR=2.33, 95%CI (1.45-3.77), P<0.001]. Adolescents in senior high school were 1.4 more likely to have good practice of SRH as compared to their counterparts in junior high school and below [AOR=1.4, 95% CI (0.98-1.99), P=0.06]. Conclusion: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of sexual and reproductive health was poor. There is the need to engage in public health education and promotion among adolescents on sexual and reproductive health in the Tamale Metropolis.