Title:
Improving Adolescent Sexual Behaviour in Ghana: A Review
Authors:
Awupoli, Grace Lerewanu
Year:
2015
PAGE:
viii, 50
Language:
En
Keywords:
Adolescent Sexual Risk Behaviour, Adolescent Sexual Risk Behavior, Early Sexual Debut, Sex Education and Knowledge, Teenage Pregnancy, Adolescent Contraception
Abstract:
Study Background: Adolescents constitute 20% of the world’s population, yet, until recently they have been neglected as a distinct group and have been subsumed under the heading of child, family or women’s health and welfare. There has been growing recognition of challenges relating to adolescent sexual behaviour. Objective: To review the factors influencing adolescent sexual behaviour in Ghana and strategies from other countries for adoption by GHS. Methodology: A literature review analysing the existing knowledge on successes, challenges, contradictions and controversies in the field of adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Ghana between the year 2000 and 2015 using UNICEF’s social ecological framework. Results: The individual opportunities, interpersonal relationships and community norms ultimately shape adolescent sexual behaviour and impacts on their health. There remains a lot of opposition on sex education in spite of the evidence of its effectiveness and low acceptance for adolescent contraception. The inconsistent laws, conservative and occasionally harmful religious and traditional beliefs/practices have contributed to poor adolescent sexual health outcomes. Conclusion and Recommendations: Adolescent sexual behaviour and its effects on their reproductive health is an issue that needs to be addressed with a multi-sectoral approach to reduce risks and improve health outcomes. The laws on legal ages for sex and marriage should be harmonized, adolescent services enhanced, while interventions targetting street adolescents implemented.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
,
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Department:
Development, Policy and Practice
Country:
Ghana
Region:
Western Africa
Training:
Master of Public Health / International Course in Health Development (MPH/ICHD)
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2015 Awupoli
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
Rwu9KGM98u_20161025160413740.pdf