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Ahinkorah BO, Kang M, Perry L, Brooks F. Knowledge and awareness of policies and programmes to reduce adolescent pregnancy in Ghana: a qualitative study among key stakeholders. Reprod Health 2023; 20:143. [PMID: 37740181 PMCID: PMC10517459 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-023-01672-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adolescent sexual and reproductive health continues to be a major public health issue in low-and middle-income countries. While many countries have policies aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy, evidence of their impact is unclear. This study sought to explore the knowledge and awareness of policies and programmes aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy among health and education professionals and grassroot workers in Ghana. METHODS We employed a cross-sectional, qualitative study design involving semi-structured interviews with 30 key informants (health and education professionals and grassroot workers) in the Central Region of Ghana. We also conducted a desktop review of policies aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy in Ghana. We used content analysis to analyse the data. RESULTS Eight of the 30 participants demonstrated awareness of policies aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy but only two could elaborate on this. By contrast, 19 of the 30 participants were aware of relevant programmes and provided detailed description of their implementation and activities carried out under each programme. Despite participants' low policy awareness and knowledge, their descriptions of the activities carried out under each programme aligned with the strategies and activities of the policies mentioned, as evident from the desktop review of the policies. CONCLUSION Greater engagement of stakeholders in future policy development should increase policy awareness. Dissemination of policy content through community-based media channels and in local languages should promote and facilitate stakeholder engagement, which in turn should increase effective policy implementation with subsequent reduction of adolescent pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
| | - Melissa Kang
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Specialty of General Practice, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lin Perry
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Fiona Brooks
- Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences/Te Ara Hauora Ā Pūtaiao, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
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Ahinkorah BO, Aboagye RG, Okyere J, Seidu AA, Budu E, Yaya S. Correlates of repeat pregnancies among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:93. [PMID: 36737736 PMCID: PMC9896730 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05361-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent girls and young women are vulnerable populations who are at risk of several adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes, including unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, unsafe abortions, and death from pregnancy-related complications. In this study, we examined the correlates of repeat pregnancies among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODS We extracted data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of 31 countries in SSA. Countries whose surveys were conducted from 2010 to 2020 were included in the study. A total of 108,572 adolescent girls and young women (15-24 years) were included in the study. We used a multilevel mixed-effect binary logistic regression analysis to examine the correlates of repeat pregnancies among adolescent girls and young women in SSA. RESULTS We found that adolescent girls and young women aged 20-24 [aOR = 2.36; 95%CI = 2.22, 2.51], those married [aOR = 7.52; 95%CI = 6.81, 8.30], living with a partner [aOR = 7.51; 95%CI = 6.87, 8.21], and those who had sexual intercourse before age 20 [aOR = 1.41; 95%CI = 1.33, 1.51] had higher odds of experiencing repeat pregnancies compared to those aged 15-19, those never in a union, those whose first sexual intercourse occurred at age 20 and above, respectively. Respondents exposed to listening to radio [aOR = 1.12; 95%CI = 1.06, 1.18] and those who justified intimate partner violence [aOR=1.13; 95%CI = 1.07, 1.19] had higher odds of experiencing repeat pregnancies compared to those who never listened to radio and those who did not justify intimate partner violence, respectively. Young women who had attained secondary or higher educational level [aOR = 0.83; 95%CI = 0.78, 0.90], those exposed to reading newspaper or magazine [aOR = 0.90; 95%CI = 0.82, 0.98], those residing in rural areas [aOR = 0.92; 95%CI = 0.86, 0.98], and those belonging to the richer [aOR = 0.87; 95%CI = 0.80, 0.95] and richest [aOR = 0.68; 95%CI = 0.61, 0.76] wealth quintile were less likely to experience repeat pregnancies. CONCLUSION The correlates of repeat pregnancies include age, age at first sexual intercourse, marital status, exposure to media, justification of intimate partner violence, wealth index, educational attainment, and place of residence. The findings underscore the need for governments and policymakers in SSA to implement policies that target the most at-risk groups: those with no formal education, the poor, and adolescent girls. Our findings also highlight the need to strengthen advocacy against the justification of intimate partner violence and intensify girl-child education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
- grid.117476.20000 0004 1936 7611School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Richard Gyan Aboagye
- grid.449729.50000 0004 7707 5975Department of Family and Community Health, Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana
| | - Joshua Okyere
- grid.9829.a0000000109466120Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana ,grid.413081.f0000 0001 2322 8567Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Abdul-Aziz Seidu
- grid.511546.20000 0004 0424 5478Centre for Gender and Advocacy, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi, Ghana ,grid.1011.10000 0004 0474 1797College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Eugene Budu
- grid.415489.50000 0004 0546 3805Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, P. O. Box, 77, Accra, Ghana
| | - Sanni Yaya
- grid.28046.380000 0001 2182 2255School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada ,grid.7445.20000 0001 2113 8111The George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Sambah F, Malau-Aduli BS, Seidu AA, Malau-Aduli AEO, Emeto TI. Ghana's Adherence to PASCAR's 10-Point Action Plan towards Hypertension Control: A Scoping Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:1425. [PMID: 36674181 PMCID: PMC9859290 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The continuous increase in the prevalence of hypertension in Ghana has led to various interventions aimed at controlling the disease burden. Nonetheless, these interventions have yielded poor health outcomes. Subsequently, the Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR), established a 10-point action plan for inclusion in policies to aid control of hypertension. This scoping review assessed the adherence of health policies to the 10-point action plan towards hypertension control/reduction in Ghana. Eight health policies met the inclusion criteria and were assessed. The programme evaluation and policy design framework were used for synthesis and analysis of extracted data. Overall, there was poor adherence to hypertension control observed in the policies. Specifically, there were low levels of integrating hypertension control/reduction measures, a poor task-sharing approach, and poor financial resource allocations to tackle hypertension control/reduction in most of the policies. There was also low support for research to produce evidence to guide future interventions. For Ghana to achieve the global target of reducing hypertension by the year 2025, its health policies must adhere to evidence-based interventions in hypertension management/control. The study recommends a follow-up study among hypertension patients and healthcare professionals to evaluate the factors militating against hypertension management/control in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Sambah
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Department of Sports and Exercise Science, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast P.O. Box UC 182, Ghana
| | - Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Abdul-Aziz Seidu
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Aduli E. O. Malau-Aduli
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Theophilus I. Emeto
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Vector-Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
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Affiliation(s)
- Niren Ray Maharaj
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Sambah F, Aboagye RG, Seidu A, Tengan CL, Salihu T, Ahinkorah BO. Long-acting reversible contraceptives use among adolescent girls and young women in high fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Reprod Health 2022; 19:209. [DOI: 10.1186/s12978-022-01494-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Given the instrumental role long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) play in reducing unintended pregnancies, there is a need to understand the factors that predict their use among adolescent girls and young women in high fertility countries. Our study examined the prevalence and predictors of LARCs use among adolescent girls and young women in high fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Materials and methods
We pooled data from the women’s files of the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) from 2010 to 2020 of the top ten high fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa, which are part of the DHS programme. The total sample was 5854 sexually active adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24 who were using modern contraceptives at the time of the survey. Descriptive and multilevel logistic regression models were used in the analyses. The results were presented using percentages and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results
At the descriptive level, the overall prevalence of LARCs utilisation was 17.6% in the ten countries, with the lowest of 1.7% in Angola and the highest of 55.8% in Mali. Adolescent girls and young women who were married had a lower likelihood of LARCs utilisation than those who were never married [AOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.45, 0.88]. Adolescent girls and young women who wanted no more children had higher odds of LARCs use compared to those who wanted more children [AOR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.26]. Adolescent girls and young women with one to three births [AOR = 6.42, 95% CI = 4.27, 9.67], and those with four or more births [AOR = 7.02, 95% CI = 3.88, 12.67] were more likely to use LARCs compared to those who had no children. Countries in sub-Saharan Africa with lower probability of utilizing LARCs were Angola, Niger and Mozambique, whereas adolescent girls and young women in Mali had higher probability of utilizing LARCs.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that LARCs utilisation among adolescent girls and young women is low in high fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa. To reduce the rates of unplanned pregnancies and induced abortions, it is imperative that adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa are educated on the advantages of utilising LARCs. Additionally, governments, policymakers, and stakeholders in sub-Saharan Africa should raise awareness by executing health promotion measures to enhance the demand for LARCs among adolescent girls and young women. Achieving these would not only prevent unplanned pregnancies and induced abortions, but also help meet the United Nation’s health and well being for all as enshrined in Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5.
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Bolarinwa OA, Nwagbara UI, Okyere J, Ahinkorah BO, Seidu AA, Ameyaw EK, Igharo V. Prevalence and predictors of long-acting reversible contraceptive use among sexually active women in 26 sub-Saharan African countries. Int Health 2021; 14:492-500. [PMID: 34405873 PMCID: PMC9450634 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihab053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are associated with high efficacy rates and continuity of use. Based on the foregoing, we sought to examine the prevalence and factors associated with LARC use among sexually active women in 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa(SSA). Methods Secondary data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 26 countries in SSA between January 2010 and December 2019 were pooled and analysed. A total of 56 067 sexually active women 15–49 y of age met the inclusion criteria. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine the association between selected factors and the use of LARCs in SSA. Results were presented as crude odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with statistical precision at <0.05. Results The prevalence of LARC use was 21.73%, ranging from 1.94% in Namibia to 54.96% in Benin. Sexually active women with secondary or higher education (aOR 1.19 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.08 to 1.32]), those cohabiting (aOR 1.25 [95% CI 1.06 to 1.47]) and those with four or more children (aOR 2.22 [95% CI 1.78 to 2.78]) were more likely to use LARCs compared with those without education, never married and with no biological child. Conclusions The use of LARCs in the 26 countries in SSA was relatively low. Hence, the identified contributory factors of LARC use should be tackled with appropriate interventions. These include continuous campaigns on the efficacy of LARCs in reducing unintended pregnancy, maternal mortality and morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obasanjo Afolabi Bolarinwa
- Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
| | - Ugochinyere Ijeoma Nwagbara
- Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
| | - Joshua Okyere
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast,PMB, Ghana
| | | | - Abdul-Aziz Seidu
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast,PMB, Ghana.,College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Services, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, QLD4811, Australia.,Department of Estate Management, Takoradi Technical University, P.O. Box 256, Takoradi, Ghana
| | | | - Victor Igharo
- John's Hopkins Centre for Communications Programs, 111 Market Place Suite 310 Baltimore, MD, USA
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Ahinkorah BO, Kang M, Perry L, Brooks F, Hayen A. Prevalence of first adolescent pregnancy and its associated factors in sub-Saharan Africa: A multi-country analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246308. [PMID: 33539394 PMCID: PMC7861528 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In low-and middle-income countries, pregnancy-related complications are major causes of death for young women. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of first adolescent pregnancy and its associated factors in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS We undertook a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 32 sub-Saharan African countries between 2010 and 2018. We calculated the prevalence of first adolescent (aged 15 to 19 years) pregnancy in each country and examined associations between individual and contextual level factors and first adolescent pregnancy. RESULTS Among all adolescents, Congo experienced the highest prevalence of first adolescent pregnancy (44.3%) and Rwanda the lowest (7.2%). However, among adolescents who had ever had sex, the prevalence ranged from 36.5% in Rwanda to 75.6% in Chad. The odds of first adolescent pregnancy was higher with increasing age, working, being married/cohabiting, having primary education only, early sexual initiation, knowledge of contraceptives, no unmet need for contraception and poorest wealth quintile. By contrast, adolescents who lived in rural areas and in the West African sub-region had lower odds of first adolescent pregnancy. CONCLUSION The prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in sub-Saharan African countries is high. Understanding the predictors of first adolescent pregnancy can facilitate the development of effective social policies such as family planning and comprehensive sex and relationship education in sub-Saharan Africa and can help ensure healthy lives and promotion of well-being for adolescents and their families and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Melissa Kang
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lin Perry
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fiona Brooks
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew Hayen
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
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