Extent of Awareness of Birth Control Methods and Their Use by Women in a Peri-Urban Area of Accra, Ghana

Abstract

The\rrapid population growth and economic expansion in Ghana over the last decade\rhave made the management of its population increasingly important necessitating\rdetailed confidential studies on use of birth control methods. This paper\rreports a highly confidential survey-based study undertaken to assess the\rextent of awareness of and factors influencing the use of birth control methods\ramong 120 women aged between 15 and 49 years, in their reproductive lifespan,\rat Abokobi, a suburb of Accra, Ghana. The analysis showed that age was the main\rfactor responsible for the general level of awareness of birth control methods.\rThe use of birth control methods was positively related to the level of\rawareness of birth control methods, being in a current sexual relationship, and\rthe number of children that the woman had. Students were less likely to use\rbirth control methods than non-students suggesting the need for more\rrecognition of abstinence as an alternative birth control method.