Adolescents’ Perceptions of Sexual and Reproductive Health: Does the Adolescent School Health Club Intervention Matter?

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to examine variations in perceptions of sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in Junior High Schools that implement the Adolescent health club intervention and those that do not. Methods: A cross-sectional quasi-experimental study design was used consisting of 424 adolescents (255 females) between 11years and 19 years old in schools that implement (private) and schools that do not implement (private and public) the intervention. Data was collected using a standardised questionnaire eliciting information about participants’ knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards their sexual and reproductive health. Chi squares, multiple regression analysis and one-way analysis of variance statistical techniques were used to analyse the data.Results: There were significant variations in knowledge about reproductive physiology and knowledge about condom use. Private schools with the health club intervention reported higher scores on both knowledge about reproductive physiology and knowledge about condom. Adolescents in private schools with the intervention had a more positive attitude towards abstinence. Adolescents in schools with the intervention were less likely to have had sex, use condoms, or have friends who have had sex compared to adolescents in schools that do to implement the intervention. Conclusion: The Adolescent health club intervention has a significant influence on Ghanaian adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health particularly knowledge about reproductive physiology and knowledge about condoms. It is recommended that the intervention be scaled up and intensified in Junior High Schools in Ghana.