A Qualitative Exploration of Factors Explaining Non-Uptake of Hormonal Contraceptives Among Adolescent Girls in Rural Ghana: The Adolescent Girls' Perspective

Adolescent pregnancy remains a public health concern globally. The use of hormonal contraceptive methods are proven ways of preventing pregnancies and in turn unsafe abortions. However, research shows that use of hormonal contraceptive methods is rather low among African adolescent girls, of which G...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Open access journal of contraception 2021-01, Vol.12, p.173-185
Main Authors: Boamah-Kaali, Ellen Abrafi, Mevissen, Fraukje E F, Owusu-Agyei, Seth, Enuameh, Yeetey, Asante, Kwaku Poku, Ruiter, Robbert A C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abortion
adolescents
Age
Analysis
Behavior
behavioral determinants
Birth control
Births
Childbirth & labor
Children & youth
Data collection
Developing countries
Education
ghana
Girls
Health facilities
hormonal contraceptives
LDCs
Oral contraceptives
Original Research
Population
Pregnancy
pregnancy prevention
Qualitative research
Rural areas
Sexual behavior
Social aspects
Social norms
Teenage girls
Teenage pregnancy
Teenagers
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Summary:Adolescent pregnancy remains a public health concern globally. The use of hormonal contraceptive methods are proven ways of preventing pregnancies and in turn unsafe abortions. However, research shows that use of hormonal contraceptive methods is rather low among African adolescent girls, of which Ghana is no exception. This manuscript uses the socio-ecological model to guide our understanding of the factors associated with non-use of hormonal contraceptives among adolescent girls in Ghana. An explorative study was done using qualitative data collection methods. Two focus group discussions and sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted among adolescent girls aged 15-19 years (N = 38) in the Kintampo area of Ghana to determine factors affecting uptake of hormonal contraceptives. Adolescents showed a lack of in-depth knowledge related to the different hormonal contraceptive types. Negative attitudes towards adolescent hormonal contraceptive use, fear of real and perceived side effects of hormonal contraceptives, lack of self-efficacy to use contraceptives, fear of disclosure of use and fear of societal stigma related to sexual intercourse and its related issues among adolescents may explain why adolescent girls in this context do not use hormonal contraceptive methods. To promote hormonal contraceptives among adolescent girls, a combination of multifaceted social-psychological, personal and community level interventions are needed.
ISSN:1179-1527
1179-1527
DOI:10.2147/OAJC.S320038