Knowledge and Awareness Level of Contraceptive Usage Among Adolescents in Mankranso of Ahafo-Ano South District

Abstract

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Objectives: There is a major health and social problem in Ghana as a result of high levels of teenage pregnancy. Contraceptive use in Ghana among the adolescents is low and few studies have researched into it. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, awareness and attitude towards the practice of contraception of the adolescents' in Mankranso, Ghana. This is a cross-sectional study with a structured questionnaire. The responses were scored and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: This study revealed that most of the adolescents lack knowledge about modern contraceptives such as jadelle and implanon. Majority of the respondents (94%) indicated that they have never used any contraception before. The main contraceptive device observed to have been used by respondents was condom (10%).Most of them strongly agreed that the use of contraceptive by a girl before her first birth can lead to infertility and use of condom does not make sex enjoyable. Religious doctrine and stigmatization were strongly agreed with index of 85% and 84% respectively as challenges faced by adolescents in seeking contraceptive services. Conclusion: This study showed that the level of knowledge on contraceptives usage among the adolescent was low. The usage of modern contraceptives was not preferred based on the negative attitude they have about contraceptives.