Reproductive health risk and protective factors among unmarried youth in Ghana
Karim, A.Mehryar.; Magnani, R.J.; Morgan, G.T.; Bond, K.C.
International Family Planning Perspectives 29(1): 14-24
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0190-3187 PMID: 12709308 DOI: 10.2307/3180997Document Number: 243489
Context: In Ghana, as in many other Sub-Saharan African countries, the behaviours of the current cohort of adolescents will strongly influence the course of HIV/AIDS epidemic. This study sought to identify the factors associated with elevated risks of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection among unmarried youth in Ghana. Methods: A nationally representative sample of 3739 unmarried 12- to 24-year-olds were surveyed during April-July 1998. Various regression techniques were used to assess the effects of individual and contextual factors on sexual behaviour and condom use. Results: Forty-one percent of female and 36% of male youth reported being sexually experienced. On average, sexually experienced youth had had fewer than 2 partners; only 4% of these females and 11% of males had had more than one sexual partner in the 3 months before the survey. Although Ghanaian youth are knowledgeable about condoms, only 24% of sexually experienced males and 20% of females reported consistent condom use with their current or most recent partner. A sizeable number of contextual factors and attributes of youth themselves were associated with sexual behaviours, while individual characteristics were stronger predictors of condom use. Conclusions: The findings provide further justification for interventions targeting key contextual factors that influence youth behaviours in addition to providing youth with necessary communication, negotiation and other life skills.