FACTORS INFLUENCING CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN TECHIMAN MUNICIPALITY, GHANA

ABSTRACT Contraceptive use among adolescents in Ghana is low. Factors influencing adolescent contraceptive use in Techiman Municipality have not been investigated. This study aimed to determine factors influencing contraceptive use among adolescents in Techiman Municipality. An analytical cross-sectional community-based study was conducted from January-March, 2018 among adolescents between the ages of 16 and 19 years whoever had sex. Respondents were selected through multi-stage sampling. Data was collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Factors associated with contraceptive use were assessed using logistic regression to generate crude and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Altogether, 298 adolescents who have ever had sex were studied. The mean age was 17.5 years (standard deviation 1.1 years). About 53% were out-of-school adolescents and 43.6% had sex within the four weeks preceding the interview, with out-of-school adolescents being more likely to have had sex (53.8% vs. 32.1%; p<0.001). Contraceptive knowledge and ever use were 75.0% and 65% respectively. The most commonly used contraceptives were condoms (54%) and emergency contraception (31%). Significant factors influencing contraceptive use were; father’s educational level (AOR4.86; 95% CI 1.70 – 13.91; p<0.001) and prior discussion of contraceptive use with partner (AOR 3.96; 95% CI 1.32 – 11.89; p=0.01). Contraceptive use was high, but few (10%) relied on LARCs. Adolescents should be encouraged to discuss contraceptive use with their sexual partners during sexual health and contraceptive counselling. Strategies for improving LARC uptake among adolescents should be investigated.