Contraceptive use among Students of a Health Training institution in the North-east Region of Ghana
Edem Kojo Dzantor
*
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.M.B. 31, Hohoe Campus, Volta Region, Ghana and College of Nursing and Midwifery, Nalerigu, P.O.Box 10, Nalerigu, North-East Region, Ghana.
Abigail Serwaa
College of Nursing and Midwifery, Nalerigu, P.O.Box 10, Nalerigu, North-East Region, Ghana.
Abidatu Mahama
College of Nursing and Midwifery, Nalerigu, P.O.Box 10, Nalerigu, North-East Region, Ghana.
Valentine Ayangba
College of Nursing and Midwifery, Nalerigu, P.O.Box 10, Nalerigu, North-East Region, Ghana.
Yaa Nyarko Agyeman
Department of Population and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University for Development Studies, P.O.Box TL1350, Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana.
Margaret Wekem Kukeba
Department of Nursing, P.O.Box 24, CKT University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Upper-East Region, Ghana.
Huzematu Abdul-Karim
Ministry of Health, School of Hygiene, Post Office Box 88, Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana.
Doreen Remember Donkor
Ministry of Health, Nurses and Midwives Training College, P.O.Box 565, Tamale Northern Region, Ghana.
Martin Nyaaba Adokiya
Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University for Development Studies, P.O.Box TL1350, Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Despite contraceptive awareness and availability to the general population, including higher education institutions, unplanned pregnancies continue to increase.
Aim: The study assessed contraceptive usage among female health students in the North-East Region, Ghana.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional studydesign was used to assess contraceptive use among 143 female health students. The data was collected using an online survey, analysed descriptively, Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The age ranged from 18 and 36 years, with a mean age of 23.7 (Sd±2.82) years, and the majority (69.9%) were in the 21-25 years age category. The mean age of first sexual intercourse was 17.8 (Sd ±5.65) years. The overall prevalence of contraceptive use was 59.0% with ever and current users being 47.6% and 35.,7% respectively. The male condom was a commonly used contraceptive (53.6%). Using the Chi-square test, we found significant differences between current contraceptive use and age at first sexual intercourse (X2=15.42, p=0.009), protection during first sexual intercourse (X2=7.30, p=0.026), current relationship status (X2=15.12, p<0.001), and multiple sexual partners (X2=10.25, p=0.001). Being in a sexual relationship (OR=4.49, 95%CI: 1.61, 12.50, p=0.004) was positively associated with current contraceptive use. Prevention of unwanted pregnancy/birth was the common reason for contraceptive use, with fear of perceived side effects as the reason for non-use of contraceptives.
Conclusion: Overall, the study found high contraceptive use with significant discontinuation among ever and current users. There is a need for public health education and promotion programmes to increase the acceptance and use of contraceptives among the study population and the public.
Keywords: Modern contraceptives, sexual intercourse, students, pregnancy, higher institutions, Ghana