Quality Health Services for Adolescents: Assessing Awareness and Use of Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Services in Keta, Ghana

Abstract

Although adolescents have access to sexual and reproductive health services, they encounter a variety of obstacles, including limited access to safe abortion and contraceptives, early pregnancy and parenthood, and a high occurrence of sexually transmitted infections. This research assessed the awareness and use of adolescent sexual reproductive health services in the Keta Sub-district of Ghana. A cross-sectional study using a quantitative method of analysis and the administration of a structured questionnaire to 350 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 19 in the Keta Sub-district was conducted. Of the 10 services covering adolescent sexual and reproductive health, 75% of participants were aware only of comprehensive sex education. Only 27% were aware of sexually transmitted infection prevention and care services. Awareness was 13% or lower for the remaining eight services. Only 24% had used an adolescent sexual reproductive health service. Awareness of adolescent sexual reproductive health services and their use is low in the Keta Sub-district. To improve access to sexual and reproductive health information, sub-district health services should create school-based satellite clinics for adolescents. Adolescents’ ambassadors should be created to educate peers on adolescent issues, especially sexual and reproductive health.