Factors influencing the use of emergency contraceptives among reproductive age women in the Kwadaso Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

Background Unintended pregnancy leads to unsafe abortion, which is one of the commonest causes of maternal deaths in developing countries including Ghana. Lots of unintended pregnancies can be avoided using emergency contraceptives (EC). Emergency contraceptives are mostly used after unprotected sexual intercourse and have a ninety-nine percent chance of preventing unintended pregnancy when taken correctly. However, unlike other modern contraceptives such as condoms, emergency contraceptives cannot prevent sexually transmitted infections. Objectives This study aimed at assessing the factors influencing the use of emergency contraceptives among reproductive-age women in the Kwadaso Municipality, Ghana. Methods A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted in three sub-municipalities of the Kwadaso Municipality. A multistage sampling method was used to select 312 women in their reproductive age within households. A simple random sampling method was first used to select the sub-municipalities (Kwadaso Central, Asuoyeboah, and Agric-Nzema). Participants were selected from households through a systematic sampling procedure and responses were solicited from women who consented to participate in the study. The selection was strictly dependent on the number of eligible women in a household, that is, in an event where more than one woman was found in a household, a simple random sampling method was used to select only one woman from that household. STATA 15.0 was used to analyse the data. Binary logistic regression was used to find the adjusted estimates and associations between EC use and the exposure variables. P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant at 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Results The findings showed that 79.67% of the women had ever used EC. Amongst them, 59.83% used EC following unexpected unprotected sex, and 24.69% used EC following failed coitus interruptus. Women’s attitude towards EC (AOR = 8.52, p<0.001), religion (AOR = 4.56, p = 0.004), and monthly income (AOR = 0.29, p = 0.030) were found to have significant influence on their use of EC. Conclusion The level of EC use among the women was high. Women’s attitude towards EC, religion, and monthly income were the major factors influencing the use of EC. Thus, strategies to promote EC use should emphasize on addressing the attitude of women towards EC through sex education in schools, various religious institutions, and the community at large with the services of health authorities and support from governmental and non-governmental organizations whose focus is to address the need for reproductive health services in order to reduce the misconception regarding the use of EC.

Levels and predictors of knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception among female TV undergraduates in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

“…21,31 However, higher levels of good attitude are seen in Kano-Nigeria, Adama and the emerging region of Ethiopia, Pretoria-South Africa, Kwadaso-Ghana and Spain. 22,26,28,29,31 Thus, non-governmental organizations, healthcare workers and social marketers should introduce strategies to counteract the negative impact of pre-existing beliefs held by young women to increase contraceptive utilization.…”

“…20 However, a lower level of good knowledge is observed among students from Selangor-Malaysia, Spain, Imo state-Nigeria, Adama and emerging regions of Ethiopia; [21][22][23][24] while a higher level of good knowledge is observed among students in Dodoma-Tanzania, Kano and Ilorin-Nigeria, Pretoria-South Africa, Kwadaso-Ghana. [25][26][27][28][29] Evidence suggests that the introduction of various educational interventions can subsequently increase the level of knowledge. 30 This study also revealed that almost half of respondents have a good attitude to contraception.…”

Effect of Educational Instructional Module on Childbearing Women's Awareness Regarding Emergency Contraception.

“…Emergency contraception (EC) is considered one of the effective family planning methods for reducing the risk of unintended pregnancy and its related consequences, including maternal death and disability (1) . Unintended pregnancy is a global health problem affecting women, their families and the society at large .…”

“…There are many indications for using EC as unprotected intercourse, contraceptive failure, breakage or slippage of condom, in addition to sexual assault.Moreovere, EC are safe with no serious complications or side effects. The most common side effects of EC are nausea and vomiting for oral pills while, heavy menstrual bleeding, pain and cramping or expulsion are associated with IUCD (1,2) . Emergency Contraceptive pills should be used within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, while IUCD should be used within 5 days.…”

Parent-Adolescent Communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health: Perceptions and Experiences of Out-Of-School Adolescent Mothers in the East Gonja Municipality, Ghana

“…Barriers to effective parent-adolescent SRH communications are diverse and complex. In Ghana, adolescent girls particularly face several challenges in accessing SRH services (Yeboah et al, 2022). Consequently, about 50% of adolescents in Ghana are still unable to received accurate SRH information that will enable them make the right decisions and choices about their SRH (WHO, 2020).…”