1. Home
  2. Vol 30, No 1 (2026)
  3. Gadegbeku

Determinants of emergency contraceptive use among female senior high school students in the Akuapem south municipality, Ghana

Cynthia Gadegbeku(1), Cynthia BediakO(2), Fortune Djirackor(3), Frank Asempah(4),


(1) Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, School of Agriculture, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
(2) Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, School of Agriculture, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
(3) Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, School of Agriculture, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
(4) Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, School of Agriculture, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
Corresponding Author

Abstract


This study investigated the knowledge, awareness, and use of emergency contraceptives (ECs) among female Senior High School students in the Akuapem South Municipality of Ghana, guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed, surveying 300 students from two schools. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and regression models. Results showed while awareness of ECs was high (98%), its actual use was moderate (50%). Attitude (p<0.001) and subjective norms (p<0.001) significantly predicted intention, while perceived behavioural control (p<0.005) predicted actual use of emergency contraceptives. Mean construct scores reflected positive attitudes (M=3.9), low subjective norms (M=2.7), moderate perceived control (M=3.5), weak intentions (M=2.8), and low reported behaviour (M=2.6). Cultural, religious, and moral concerns were major deterrents to EC use. The findings highlighted the need for culturally sensitive interventions to: bridge the gap between awareness and effective use of ECs, that would help reduce unintended pregnancies among students (including adolescents) in Ghana.

References


Abebe AM, Tarekegn M and Kassaw MW. Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward emergency contraceptives among female college students in Mekelle, Ethiopia. International Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 2021; 2021:6692682.

Babatunde AO, Igbodekwe FC and Adebowale SA. Knowledge and use of emergency contraceptives among female undergraduates in Nigeria. BMC Women's Health. 2016; 16:1–7.

Bankole A and Malarcher S. Removing barriers to adolescents’ access to contraceptive information and services. Studies in Family Planning. 2010;41(2):117–124.

Blanc AK, Tsui AO, Croft TN and Trevitt JL. Patterns and trends in adolescents’ contraceptive use and discontinuation in developing countries and comparisons with adult women. International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. 2013;35(2):63–71.

Glasier AF, Cameron ST, Fine PM, Logan SJ, Casale W, Van Horn J, Sogor L, Blithe DL, Scherrer B, Mathe H, Jaspart A, Ulmann A and Gainer E. Ulipristal acetate versus levonorgestrel for emergency contraception: A randomized non-inferiority trial and meta-analysis. The Lancet. 2010;375(9714):555–562.

Ahanonu EL. Attitudes of healthcare providers towards providing contraceptives for unmarried adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria. Journal of Family and Reproductive Health. 2014;8(1):33–40.

Ghana Statistical Service, Ghana Health Service, ICF International. Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 2022: Key Indicators Report. Accra, Ghana: Ghana Statistical Service, Ghana Health Service, and ICF; 2023

Ajzen I. The theory of planned behaviour. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. 1991;50(2):179–211.

Osaikhuwuomwan JA and Osemwenkha AP. Knowledge and perception of emergency contraception among female Nigerian undergraduates. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2013;122(3):207–210.

Bearak J, Popinchalk A, Ganatra B, Møller A, Tunçalp O, Beavin C, Kwok L, and Alkema L. Unintended pregnancy and abortion by income, region, and the legal status of abortion: Estimates from a comprehensive model for 1990–2019. The Lancet Global Health. 2020;8(9): e1152–e1161.

Curtis KM, Gavin LE, Zane NB, Cheng TL, Taylor J, Black E, Callegari LS, Cwiak CA, Dehlendorf C, Godfrey EM, Jatlaoui TC, Mark KE, Pazol K, Tepper, NK, Whiteman, MK and Zapata LB. U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2024. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Recommendations and Reports. 2024;73(RR-3):1–60.

Cheng L, Che Y and Gülmezoglu AM. Interventions for emergency contraception. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012;(8):CD001324.

Rijsdijk LE, Bos AER, Lie R, Ruiter RAC, Leerlooijer JN and Kok G. Correlates of delayed sexual intercourse and condom use among adolescents in Uganda: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2011; 11:967.

Chersich MF, Wabiri N, Risher K, Abdullah F, Celentano D, El Feki S, Moshabela M, Geary M, Cornell M and Hargreaves J. Contraception coverage and methods used among women in South Africa: A national household survey. South African Medical Journal. 2017;107(4):307–314.

Kavanaugh ML, Jerman J and Finer LB. Changes in use of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods among U.S. women, 2009–2012. Contraception. 2015;92(1):14–19.

Atuahene MD, Afari E, Adjuik M and Obed SA. Emergency contraceptive use among female students in second cycle institutions in Ghana: Evidence from the Kumasi Metropolis. Contraception and Reproductive Medicine. 2021;6(1):1–9.

Appiah-Agyekum NN and Kayi EA. Students’ perceptions of emergency contraception at the University of Ghana. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care. 2013;40(2):130–135.

Akintade OL, Pengpid S and Peltzer K. Awareness and use of and barriers to family planning services among female university students in Lesotho. South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2011;17(3):72–78.

Sheeran P. Intention–Behaviour relations: A conceptual and empirical review. European Review of Social Psychology. 2002;12(1):1–36.

Eliason S, Baiden F, Yankey BA and Awusabo-Asare K. Determinants of unintended pregnancies in rural Ghana. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2013; 14:261.

Nyarko SH. Prevalence and correlates of contraceptive use among female adolescents in Ghana. BMC Women's Health. 2015; 15:60.

United Nations Population Fund. Seeing the unseen: The case for action in the neglected crisis of unintended pregnancy. New York: United Nations Population Fund; 2022.

Chima V, Alawode O and Madise NJ. Emergency contraception in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of knowledge, attitudes, and barriers. African Journal of Reproductive Health. 2020;24(1):15–28.

Kungu W, Mulwa R and Gichane MW. Knowledge, attitudes and practice of emergency contraception among University students in Kenya. African Journal of Reproductive Health. 2018;22(4):76–85.

World Health Organization; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Family planning: A global handbook for providers. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018. https://www.fphandbook.org/

Mvundura CW, Tapsoba JPK, Makonnen LB, Diop B, Phillips JF and Armbruster D. Cost-effectiveness of introducing emergency contraceptive pills in public sector clinics in Burkina Faso. Frontiers in Global Women's Health. 2021; 2:624064.

Worku T and Berhane Y. Emergency contraceptive knowledge, attitude and practice among female students of higher learning institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development. 2006;20(2):111–116.

Abdu Y, Baraki DG and Gebremariam H. Utilization of emergency contraception and associated factors among female students in Mekelle town, northern Ethiopia. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences. 2013;5(9):401–407.


Full Text: PDF

Article Metrics

Abstract View : 393 times
PDF Download : 180 times

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.