FACTORS INFLUENCING THE UTILIZATION OF CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS, GHANA

Abstract

Background: Adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health is supreme to healthy living, and because the health of adolescents is important, it has compelled most countries across the globe to put up appropriate measures to meet their needs. Aims: The main aim of the study was to assess the factors influencing the utilization of contraceptives among adolescents in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. Methods: This study employed a community-based cross-sectional design. The study recruited 374 adolescents using the multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The majority (92.8%) of the adolescents have heard about contraceptives. Half of the respondents had sex before, with only 29.4% reported to have used contraceptives in the past. Only 30.7% of the respondents felt the service providers were friendly to them, the majority (60.2%) of the study participants felt that the health practitioners did not respect their privacy during their visit. Over half (51.1%) of the respondents were unsatisfied with the location where contraceptive services are rendered. The majority (82.9%) of the study participants cannot discuss contraceptives issues freely with their parents. The study established a significant association between usage of contraceptives and age (P<0.01), level of education (P<0.01), and marital status (P<0.01). Conclusion: The majority of respondents were sexually active, although contraception use was low in comparison to the teens' high awareness level. Factors such as poor attitudes of health practitioners, poor accessibility and availability of contraceptives, and lack of parental concern have to be addressed by key stakeholders’ engagement to holistically address adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health concerns in the metropolis.