Exploring Attitudes of Pregnant Teenagers on the use of Contraceptives in the Ashanti Region, Ghana

This study employed a qualitative approach and used in-depth interviews to explore the attitudes and perceptions of teenage mothers on the use of contraceptives in the Agogo Community, Ghana. Fifteen teenage mothers from the Antenatal clinic of the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital were interviewed on their attitudes and perceptions on the use of contraceptives. Findings of the interviews were that adolescents who held positive attitudes acquired such stance not only from contraceptive benefits but also beliefs and values they had about contraceptive use. Factors that encouraged respondents to develop positive attitude towards contraceptive use are the desire to avoid pregnancy and child bearing, the fear of pregnancy (80 %), abortion complications (70 %), early family and responsibility (58 %) enabled young men and women to use contraceptives. On the other hand high influences of cultural norms in the community have contributed to the low patronage of contraceptive use among teenage mothers in this community. Furthermore, efforts by health workers to promote the use of contraceptives was poor. It was also observed that there is total absence of teenagers support group on the use of contraceptives leading to inadequate knowledge on the use of contraceptives. Participants were also faced with multiple challenges like, finances, fear of side effects, perception of sin on religious grounds, shyness to purchase contraceptives and some partners disapproval of the use of contraceptives. Recommendations included educating teenage mothers on the benefits of the use of contraceptives, making contraceptives more affordable and readily available.