Determining Factors Influencing Family Planning Practices among Adolescents in the Tema Central Sub-Metropolis, Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Introduction: The public health importance of family planning is well documented, some of which include averting the number of unintended pregnancies, reducing maternal and child mortality and number of abortion episodes among women. Adolescents are mostly vulnerable to peculiar health risks in relation to reproduction and sexuality. Despite interventions aimed at improving their family planning uptake, family planning practices among adolescents remain low in Ghana.

Objective: This study was carried out to determine factors influencing the knowledge and Family Planning practices among adolescents at the Tema Central sub-metropolis of Ghana.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to investigate the objective of this study. A total of 381 adolescents from adolescent service friendly units in the Tema Central sub-metropolis were sampled using cluster sampling technique for the study. Knowledge of adolescents on FP services was analysed descriptively using frequencies, percentages. The Chi-Square statistic was used to estimate differences in FP knowledge and demographic data of respondents. Statistical significance was considered based on p-value <0.05.

Findings: There was a high level of awareness of family planning among the adolescents (96.1%). Knowledge on family planning was good among the adolescents (98.4%). Age (P<0.05) and level of education (P<0.05) had significant influence on knowledge on family planning among the adolescents. However, out of the 381 adolescents, only twelve (3.1%) had ever used a FP method in the past and only six were using a FP method at the time of the study. Adolescent general perception of youth friendly services provided for the adolescents was positive.

Conclusion: Despite the high level of awareness and good knowledge of family planning among the adolescents, their family planning practices were poor. There is the need to repackage and advertise adolescent family planning services and make the services attractive to adolescents through collaborative effort between the Ghana Health Service, the media and all stakeholders.