KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF ADOLESCENTS ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS IN GHANA: A CASE STUDY OF YAMORANSA IN THE MFANTSEMAN MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

According to the 2010 Population and Housing Census report of Ghana, Yamoransa has one of the highest number of young adolescents in the Mfantseman Municipality. However, it appears there is no evidence of empirical study conducted on adolescents’ knowledge and perception of sexual and reproductive health rights. Meanwhile, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) are the foundation of sexual and reproductive health outcomes of young people. To fill this literature gap, this study assessed adolescents’ knowledge and perception of SRHR using 209 adolescent residents in the study area. Data for the study were collected through the survey approach. The study has shown that over 80% of the respondents have heard and known some aspects of SRHR. However, a higher proportion of female adolescents (56%) as compared to male adolescents (46.2%) lacked knowledge on how ignorance of one’s SRHR could lead to sexual rights violations. The view that men should be the sole decision makers on sexual issues was held by some adolescents. The study, therefore, recommends that government and other relevant stakeholders such as UNICEF should educate and empower young people to exercise their SRHR during adolescence and in adulthood.