Factors Associated With the Utilization of Family Planning Among Young Adults. A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in the Kassena Nankana Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

Background

Family planning significantly reduces maternal mortality and contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, the unmet need for family planning in Ghana is still relatively high. This study assessed the factors influencing the use of family planning in a resource-limited setting.

Methods

The study used 384 adults (17–56 years) in the Navrongo central sub-municipality, selected using the multi-stage sampling method. Data was cleaned in Microsoft Excel 365 before being transferred to SPSS version 27 and R for analysis. Composite scores were determined and transformed into percentages. The percentage scores of more than 75% were coded as utilisation or good knowledge of modern family planning, depending on the specific section. The Pearson Chi-square test was performed to examine the relationship between the independent variables on overall utilisation and overall knowledge of family planning. Logistic regression and complementary log-log models were used to model the predictors of the utilisation and knowledge of modern family planning. All p-values ≤ 0.05 were deemed statistically significant.

Results

The overall utilisation of modern family planning was not very high (43.2%). Overall, the respondents showed good knowledge (81.3%) of modern family planning. Married young adults (RR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.39–3.27, p-value = 0.001) were more likely to utilise modern contraceptives. Male young adults are less likely to utilise family planning (RR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.12–0.34, p < 0.001) than females. Those aged at least 37 years (RR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.11–2.71, p-value = 0.017) were more likely to have good knowledge of modern family planning than those aged 17 to 26 years. Compared with those with tertiary education, those below SHS (RR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.54–4.31, p-value < 0.001) and those with SHS education (RR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.27–2.55, p-value = 0.001) were more likely to have good knowledge of modern family planning. Those with household income between 500 and 1000 (RR = 5.39, 95% CI: 2.18–17.99, p-value = 0.002) and household income more than 1000 cedis (RR = 5.12, 95% CI: 2.04–17.25, p-value = 0.003) were more likely to have good knowledge of family planning than those with household income below 500 cedis per month.

Conclusion

This study revealed a high level of knowledge and relatively low utilization of modern family planning. Family planning interventions must incorporate behaviour change theoretical models to translate high knowledge to effective and sustained uptake of family planning among young adults in resource-limited settings.