Contraceptive use and need in rural Ghana

Background: The rapidly evolving healthcare system of Ghana and high incidence of sexually-transmitted diseases among Ghanaian women require analyses on multiple levels. This research focuses on the current issues surrounding contraceptive use and need in rural Ghana due to the disparities in sexual health between urban and rural Ghana.

Methods: The study focused on the clinical and health education services of a women's clinic in a rural area of Ho, Volta Region, Ghana. Extensive literature reviews and interviews with individuals directly involved with women's sexual health issues were performed.

Results: Access is a major issue in rural areas of Ghana. Results of interviews with Ghanaian health workers revealed that there is a significant prevalence of incorrect knowledge of sexual health especially among rural women due to lack of education. These interviews also highlighted the health workers insufficient training to address contraceptive practice and safe sexual practices. Effects of socio-cultural issues are closely tied to these issues. There is a need to consider sexually-transmitted diseases other than HIV. Contraception was highlighted as a particularly sensitive issue due to gender issues regarding beliefs of male sexual partners as well as the difficulties surrounding teaching details of correct behaviors.

Conclusion: This study identified multiple obstacles to positive sexual health including effects of urbanization, religion, health knowledge and education, and cultural and social issues. These issues underlie the predominant causes of the relatively low percentage of contraceptive use in the country and highlight areas where interventions could best be focused.