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Preference for Injectable Contraceptives in Ghana: An Analysis of Mediating Factors
We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi Ghana. All women on injectable contraceptives accessing services in the hospital at the time of the study were eligible for selection. Using simple random sampling, 247 women were selected for the study.
The majority of respondents (70%) were on injection depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. Sixty percent of respondents were on injectables as their first ever method of contraception. Recommendations by relations and friends and forgetfulness associated with other methods were common reasons for opting for injectables. The convenient dosing, schedule, favorable side effect profile, preference for injections, desire to be discreet, dislike of pills and side effects associated with other methods were also identified as factors contributing to the high uptake of injectable contraceptives. The majority of respondents were satisfied with the method and will recommend it to another person.
A high level of satisfaction exists among users of injectable contraceptives. Further public education on this and other methods have the potential to improve Ghana’s contraceptive prevalence rate and reduce the unmet need for family planning.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health educationImplementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Identify factors contributing to the high uptake of injectable contraceptives in Ghana
Keyword(s): Contraception, Family Planning
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a Public Health Specialist various academic and public health credentials which enable me to present the data in this abstract. I supervise reproductive and Child Health activities of Public Health importance at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. I also participated fully in the study and preparation of this abstract.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.