Contraceptive Use among High School Students in the Effutu Municipality, Ghana; the Unknown Perception

In the Ghanaian society, many high school students are ignorant of the various forms of contraceptive methods available and how they are effectively used, despite significant numbers being sexually active. This study sought to investigate the perception of high school students towards the use of contraceptive in the Effutu Municipality. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods to sample sixty (60) students from two SHS schools in the municipality as well as six (6) teachers who were patrons of reproductive health clubs from the participating schools, four (4) staffs from the family planning and reproductive health units of the Trauma Specialist Hospital, and the Municipal Hospital and also ten (10) persons identified as pharmacists, health assistants or counter assistants in drugs stores, chemical shop and pharmacies within the study area were also interviewed. A self-administered questionnaire was used in obtaining data on the perception of students. The results showed that male student had a positive perception of contraceptives and their use as against females. Again, findings from the study indicated misperceptions tended to cloud the judgment of adolescents towards contraceptives, thus serving as a barrier to the use of contraceptives. From the study it was recommended that an adolescent friendly facilities be established across the country to help adolescents make informed choices pertaining to sex and their reproductive health.