Understanding Adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs in the Cape Coast Metropolis

Abstract

Although adolescents make up a large proportion of the population in the developing world where most humanitarian emergencies occur, their sexual and reproductive health needs are largely unmet. This study, therefore, sought to explore adolescents’ knowledge, perceptions and sexual and reproductive health needs in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Guided by a sequential explanatory mixed design and cross-sectional research design, the Theory of Planned Behaviour, Social Cognitive Theory and the Health Belief Model served as theoretical underpinnings. Convenient sampling procedure was used to sample in-school JHS adolescents (12 and 19) years, parents, community/opinion leaders, healthcare providers, teachers, and SHEP coordinators. Questionnaire, interview and FGD guides were used for data collection. The KOBO Toolbox and thematic analysis were used for both the quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The study showed that adolescents’ knowledge on sexual and reproductive health was very minimal. Their dominant sources of SRH information were friends/peers and the media. Living arrangement, age, educational level and religious affiliation influenced opinions of adolescents and parents regarding ASRH and the use of the available RH services. To prevent adolescents from relying so much on their peers and the media for SRH information, the collaboration between GES and the GHS should be intensified with emphasis on comprehensive sexuality and reproductive health education as compulsory subjects for all adolescents. NGOs interested in ASRH should organise community outreaches for parents and guardians on the essence of parent-child sexual and reproductive health discussions, to encourage adolescents to confide in their parents on issues regarding their SRH.