1. Home
  2. Vol 17, No 4 (2013)
  3. van der Geugten

Virginity, Sex, Money and Desire: Premarital Sexual Behaviour of Youths in Bolgatanga Municipality, Ghana

Jolien van der Geugten(1), Berno van Meijel(2), Marion H.G. den Uyl(3), Nanne K. de Vries(4),


(1) 1Faculty of Health, Sports and Social Work, Research Centre Mental Health Nursing, In Holland University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam,
(2) Faculty of Health, Sports and Social Work, Research Centre Mental Health Nursing, In Holland University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague,
(3) Faculty of Social Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam,
(4) Department of Health Promotion, CAPHRI, School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht,
Corresponding Author

Abstract


Youths in Bolgatanga municipality in the Upper East Region in the rural north of Ghana suffer health and social problems that are caused by their premarital and unsafe sexual behaviour. This study provides more knowledge of and insight into the youths’ conceptions, motives and practices concerning premarital sex in the specific cultural and social context of Bolgatanga municipality. The results of this study can contribute to the development of more effective sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programmes. Interviews with 33 youths and 27 key respondents were carried out. Four repertoires were constructed to present the dynamics wherein the youths’ premarital sexual behaviour takes place. The dominant ideology of abstaining from premarital sex contrasts with the counter ideology of allowing premarital sex, influenced by increasing modernization. SRH programmes should take into account the increasing influence of modernity, gender differences and the compelling influence of peer groups, all of which contribute to youths engaging in premarital sex, with health and social problems as possible consequences. (Afr J Reprod Health 2013; 17[4]: 93-106).

References


Awusabo-Asare K, Abane AM, Kumi-Kyereme K. Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Ghana: A Synthesis of Research Evidence. New York: The Alan Guttmacher Institute; 2004.

Haberland N, Chong E, Bracken H. Married Adolescents: An Overview. Paper prepared for the WHO/UNFPA/Population Council. Technical Consultation on Married Adolescents. Geneva: WHO/UNFPA/Population Council; 2003 9–12 December.

Mensch BS, Bagah D, Clark WH, Binka F. The changing Nature of Adolescence in the Kassena-Nankana District of Northern Ghana. Studies in Family Planning 1999;30(2):95–111.

Rondini S, Kingsley Krugu J. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Study on Reproductive Health Among Secondary School Students in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, Ghana. African Journal of Reproductive Health 2009; December; 13(4):51–66.

Duong LQ, Debpuur C, Kahn K. Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among School Pupils in Rural Ghana. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2008; December; 12(1):179–80.

Awusabo-Asare K, Biddlecom A, Kumi-Kyereme A, Patterson K. Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Ghana: Results from the 2004 National Survey of Adolescents. New York: Guttmacher Institute; 2006. Report No.: 22.

Stephenson R. Community Influences on young people’s sexual behavior in three African countries. American Journal of Public Health 2009;99(1):102–9.

Reeuwijk v, M. Because of temptations. Children Sex and HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. Diemen: AMB Publishers; 2010.

Ghana Statistical Service. Population by Region, District, Age Groups and sex, 2010. Ghana: Ghana Statistical Service; 2012 October.

Ghana Statistical Service. 2000 Population and Housing census. Analysis of district data and implications for planning Upper East Region. Ghana: Ghana Statistical Service; 2005 August.

Atinga SA. Death and Dying. A study of the Mortuary Rites of the Frafra of Northern Ghana in the Light of the Christian Funeral Liturgy. An Attempt at Inculturation [dissertation]. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Faculty of Theology; 2006.

Ghana Statistical Service. Ghana living standards survey. Report of the fifth round (GLSS 5). Ghana: Ghana Statistical Service; 2008 September.

Strauss, AL, Corbin JM. Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 1998.

Potter J, Wetherell M. Discourse and social psychology: Beyond attitudes and behaviour. London: Sage; 1987.

Odoi-Agyarko K. Female Genital Mutilation and Reproductive Health Morbidity in Second Cycle School Girls in Bolgatanga District. Ghana Medical Journal 2000;35(3).

Ankomah A. Sex, Love, Money and AIDS: The Dynamics of Premarital Sexual Relationships in Ghana. Sexualities 1999;2(3):291–308.

Anarfi JK, Awusabo-Asare K. Experimental research on sexual networking in some selected areas of Ghana. Health Transition Review 1993;3(supplementary issue):1–15.

Chatterji M, Murray N, London D, Anglewicz P. The Factors Influencing Transactional Sex Among Young Men and Women in 12 Sub-Saharan African Countries. Social Biology 2005;52(1–2):56–72.

Masvawure T. 'I just need to be flashy on campus': female students and transactional sex at a university in Zimbabwe. Culture, Health & Sexuality: An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care 2010;12(8):857–70.

Kwankye SO, Augustt E. Media Exposure and Reproductive Health Behaviour Among Young Females in Ghana. African Population Studies 2007;22(2):77–106.

Eerdewijk v, A. Being a man: Young masculinities and safe sex in Dakar. In: Davids T, Van Driel T, editors. The gender question in globalization: Changing

perspectives and practices Aldershot: Ashgate; 2005. pp. 59–73.

Eerdewijk v, A. What has love got to do with it? The intimate relationships of Dakarois girls. Etnofoor 2006;XIX(1):41–62.


Full Text: PDF

Article Metrics

Abstract View : 189 times
PDF Download : 78 times

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.