Knowledge of Sexual and Reproductive Health among Adolescents in a Ghanaian Municipality: A Mixed-Method Approach

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) is an essential aspect of the physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being of adolescents who are generally known to be the most vulnerable group in this aspect of health. Aim: This study was designed to explore the sexual and reproductive health knowledge of adolescents in the Central Region of Ghana with Komenda as the case study. Methodology: A mixed method with a case study design was adopted through quantitative survey and focus group discussions among 95 adolescents in the Komenda community. Results and Discussion: The study revealed that most respondents had an idea about what SRH is all about, what contraceptives are with condom being known by all of the study respondents but were not willing to use contraceptives during sex. Most respondents also knew of STDs including HIV and their mode of transmission even though a significant number of the respondents (for example, 34% of survey respondents) were also found to hold misconception that STDs can be transmitted through witchcraft. The school was found to be the most source of SRH information for the respondents and place they will prefer to learn about SRH. Who to best discuss SRH issues with was found to depend on the type of SRH issue to be shared even though parents followed by peers and health professionals were found to be the entities survey respondents generally would prefer to share SRH issues with. Conclusion: This study revealed that even though respondents had knowledge on SRH, most of them held some misconceptions about SRH which is likely to affect their understanding and tolerance of the topic. This can lead to poor SRH outcomes such as high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. There is therefore the need for effective education among adolescents in the study community by the Ghana Health Service and relevant stakeholders. Moreover, the school should be used as an important vessel for educating adolescents on SRH issues.