Knowledge, Attitude and Utilisation of Modern Contraceptives among Female Senior High School Students in the Kpando Municipality, Ghana

BackgroundAdolescent fertility regulation and pregnancy prevention is one of the most important healthcare issues of the twenty-first century. Contraceptive can potentially improve the quality of the lives of adolescents and their economic welfare by preventing unwanted pregnancies. Volta Region records one of the highest prevalence of teenage pregnancy and adolescents aged 15-19 years are the least acceptors of contraceptives in the Region. This study determined the knowledge, attitude and utilisation of modern contraceptives among female senior high school students in the Kpando Municipality. MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional design was employed in this study with a stratified sample of 270 participants. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analysed using Stata Version 16. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to summarise the data. Logistic regression analyses were used to test the association between the dependent and independent variables at the 0.05 significance level at a 95% confidence interval. ResultsThe participants had adequate knowledge of modern contraceptives (78.5%) and their major source of information was the school (59.7%) with the most commonly known contraceptive being the condom (86.3%). School of attendance (AOR= 0.29), religion (AOR= 0.25), marital status (AOR= 0.47) and programme of study were significantly associated with knowledge of modern contraceptives. The attitude of respondents was also favourable (63%) but the majority reported that modern contraceptives could lead to bareness in the future (59.3%). Only school of attendance was significantly associated with attitude (AOR= 2.04). However, current utilisation of modern contraceptives was low (24.2%) and the majority revealed their source of modern contraceptives to be the pharmacy (63.1%). Also, school of attendance (AOR= 2.36), age (AOR= 2.45), marital status (AOR= 41.81) and grade level (AOR= 2.13) were significantly associated with the utilisation of modern contraceptives. ConclusionThere was adequate knowledge and favourable attitude regarding contraceptives. However, utilisation was low. Health promotion campaigns to improve contraceptive use among SHS students in Kpando Municipality should target those in the lower grade levels, those between the ages of 12 and 17, those who are currently not in any relationship and include all students regardless of their programme of study.