Contraceptive Use among High School Students in the Effutu Municipality, Ghana; the Unknown Perception

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XI, November 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Contraceptive Use among High School Students in the Effutu Municipality, Ghana; the Unknown Perception

Otoo, E.A.¹, Tackie-Yarboi, D.¹, Gyimadoh, B.², Yayra, H.², Gyasi, S.², and Gyan, A.^2
1Department of Geography Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
²College of Community Health Nursing, Winneba, Ghana

Abstract: In the Ghanaian society, many high school students are ignorant of the various forms of contraceptive methods available and how they are effectively used, despite significant numbers being sexually active. This study sought to investigate the perception of high school students towards the use of contraceptive in the Effutu Municipality. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods to sample sixty (60) students from two SHS schools in the municipality as well as six (6) teachers who were patrons of reproductive health clubs from the participating schools, four (4) staffs from the family planning and reproductive health units of the Trauma Specialist Hospital, and the Municipal Hospital and also ten (10) persons identified as pharmacists, health assistants or counter assistants in drugs stores, chemical shop and pharmacies within the study area were also interviewed. A self-administered questionnaire was used in obtaining data on the perception of students. The results showed that male student had a positive perception of contraceptives and their use as against females. Again, findings from the study indicated misperceptions tended to cloud the judgment of adolescents towards contraceptives, thus serving as a barrier to the use of contraceptives. From the study it was recommended that an adolescent friendly facilities be established across the country to help adolescents make informed choices pertaining to sex and their reproductive health.

Keywords: Perception, Contraceptive, HIV/Aids, Teenage Pregnancy

I. INTRODUCTION

Population explosion and maternal mortality have been concepts challenging the world, with various measures being put in place to curb it entirely especially in most third world countries or eliminate it in developed countries. A means adopted by the world to control population and reduce maternal mortality is through birth control of which contraception is a method. According to Geske, Quevillon, Struckman-Johnson & Hansen (2015), Contraceptives refer to any family planning method used to prevent pregnancy. This is achievable by interfering with the normal process of ovulation, fertilization, and implantation (Geske, et al, 2015). The idea behind contraception is as old as time itself; but for just as long, finding an effective method that anyone can easily access has been the major hurdle to cross (Edgerton, 2011; Tone, 2002).

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