Peer-reviewed article

Factors Associated With Female Adolescent Usage of Modern Contraceptives in Northern Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Survey of a Rural Municipality.

Lasong J, Salifu Y, Dandeebo G · 29 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background Modern contraceptive use is an effective strategy for reducing unintended adolescent pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and unsafe abortions. Adolescent girls in rural populations are disproportionately affected by the adverse outcomes of contraceptive nonuse. This study examined factors associated with modern contraceptive use among female adolescents (FAs) in the Savelugu Municipality of Northern Ghana. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2021 using systematic sampling to select 408 sexually active adolescent girls aged 15-19 years. Binary logistic regression was performed using SPSS version 25.0 to identify factors associated with modern contraceptive use. All statistical tests were two-tailed, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The prevalence of modern contraceptive use among FAs was 20.8%. The majority (75.2%) had heard of modern contraceptives. Maternal formal education was associated with lower odds of contraceptive use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.178, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.040-0.791). Source of contraceptive information (health worker/teacher vs. radio/peers/parents) was also associated with lower odds of use (AOR = 0.151, 95% CI: 0.036-0.640). These associations should not be interpreted as causal; they may reflect unmeasured confounding or reverse causality. Conclusions Maternal education and source of contraceptive information were associated with adolescent contraceptive use in this rural setting. The unexpected negative associations may be explained by socially conservative contexts or unmeasured factors such as adolescent motivation and self-efficacy. Given the wide CIs, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary and require confirmation in larger, adequately powered studies. Interventions should address social norms, strengthen mother-daughter communication and leverage mass media for destigmatising information.