ADDRESSING THE INCIDENCE OF IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY IN THE TOLON DISTRICT OF THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The main purpose of this project was to address the incidence of in-school adolescent pregnancy among students in the Tolon District of the Northern Region of Ghana. The project adopted the Action Research Design to achieve its goals and objectives. The purposive sampling strategy was employed to select 60 participants from five selected communities in the District to respond to pre-intervention questions and discussions. Based on the findings, key intervention strategies, such as transect walk, community fora and health talks were organized to address the menace. The project identified lack of or insufficient sex education for adolescents as the major cause of in-school adolescent pregnancies. Poor parental care, peer pressure, exposure to pornographic materials and insufficient knowledge on sexuality and the proper use of contraceptives were other causes identified. The project therefore, outlined the following recommendations for addressing in-school adolescent pregnancy: Teachers, parents, health workers and other opinion leaders should be committed to making conscious efforts to promote sex education among adolescents. Communities should also make use of the community level resources, such as schools, teachers, clinics and health professionals, as well as religious, youth and women leaders in addressing in-school adolescent pregnancy.