Title:
Examining the gaps in adolescents access to contraceptives in Ghana
Authors:
Parkoo, Victoria
Year:
2016
PAGE:
x, 49
Language:
En
Subject:
Maternal Health – Lessons Learned
Keywords:
access, pregnancy, contraceptives, adolescents, sexuality, Ghana, affordability and funding.
Abstract:
Background: Adolescents are at high risk of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections which can be prevented by access to contraceptives and condoms respectively. However, the reality is that more than 70% of adolescents in Ghana do not have access to contraceptives. Objective of the study: To critically analyse the gaps that influence adolescents access to contraceptives in Ghana and recommend evidence based practices that can be adopted by the MoH, GHS and stakeholders in adolescents sexual and reproductive health to improve adolescent’s access to contraceptives in Ghana. Methodology: Literature review was conducted on the subject matter based on the WHO 2004 access to essential medicine framework. Findings: Gaps identified in adolescents access to contraceptives include inadequate government funding, inadequate implementation of the age appropriate comprehensive sexuality education, non-adherence to recommended guidelines, absence of specified strength for some contraceptives on the Essential Medicine List, irregular monitoring and supportive supervision, inadequate capacity of local pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to manufacture contraceptives, inadequate knowledge of staff on standard operating procedures of supply chain management and over reliance on donor assistance and funding for contraceptives. Conclusion: Access to safe, effective, acceptable and affordable contraceptives for adolescents is essential in the attainment of SRHR. The Improving adolescents access to contraceptives in Ghana require not only putting in place demand side factors but also improving the supply side gaps identified in this studies. When these gaps are adequately addressed, adolescents’ access to contraceptives may improve and unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among adolescents may as well reduce. Further, considerable gains may be realised on socio- economic aspects of Ghana’s development.Recommendations: adequate implementation of SRH policies for adolescent, add contraceptives to the NHIS list for adolescents access, regular monitoring and supervision of service providers to ensure they adhere to guidelines. Increase GOG funding for contraceptives procurements, and conduct regular supportive supervision to health facilities offering contraceptive services to adolescents.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
,
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institue)
Department:
Health Education
Region:
Ghana, Republic of
,
West africa
Training:
Master of Public Health/International Course in Health Development (MPH/ICHD)
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2016 Parkoo
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
TcEOmXp1Rn_20170504164151750.pdf