Utilisation of Reproductive Health Services among Adolescents in Ghana

Analysis of the 2007 and 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Surveys

Bibliographic Data

ID15503372
AuthorsJames Tetteh-Boawolor Ehiawey (University of Ghana), Anaseini Manu (0000-0002-1099-8623, University of Ghana, corresponding author), Emefa Modey (0000-0002-9116-462X, University of Ghana), Deda Ogum (0000-0001-7496-8514, University of Ghana), Edgar Atuhaire (University of Ghana), Kwasi Torpey (0000-0003-1628-2922, University of Ghana)
Year2024
Volume21
Issue5
Pages526-526
Publication date2024-04-24
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph21050526
PMID38791741
OpenAlexW4395114040
LanguageEN
References cited41

Early pubertal development induces early sexual activities among adolescents. In Ghana, despite the high sexual activity among Ghanaian adolescents, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services are underutilised, primarily due to SRH stigma and a lack of SRH knowledge and information. This study examined the use of SRH services among adolescents aged 15-19 years in Ghana over a ten year period. The study utilised data from the 2007 and 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Surveys (GMHSs). Responses from 2056 and 4909 adolescent females captured in the 2007 and 2017 GMHSs, respectively, were used. The results showed a declining utilisation of SRH services among adolescents from 28.3% in 2007 to 22.5% in 2017. The odds of using family planning among sexually active adolescents increased from 2007 [AOR-0.32, CI-(0.135, 0.77), p p p p p p < 0.001]. The findings show that even though knowledge of family planning methods predicted low utilisation, knowledge of sources, age at first sex, and educational level positively predicted the utilisation of SRH services from 2007 to 2017. Opportunities for both enhancing the clinical environment and health provider attitudes exist and should be explored for improving SRH outcomes among sexually active adolescents in Ghana

Adolescent health · Environmental health · Family planning · Logistic regression · Odds · Odds ratio · Population · Reproductive health · Research methodology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences · Demography · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Nursing