THE ROLE OF ADOLESCENT SCHOOL HEALTH CLUBS ON SEX AND CONDOM USE AMONG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE TEMA EAST SUBMETROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

Background: Negative outcomes pertaining to sexual and reproductive health such as teenage

pregnancy, unsafe abortions, STI’s and HIV/AIDS can have devastating effects on education,

physical and psychosocial wellbeing of adolescents. Various studies in adolescent reproductive

health show that school-based programs have potential for improved knowledge, attitudes and

behaviour. Ghana began the Adolescent Health Clubs (AHC) in 2014 to help improve

outcomes regarding sexual and reproductive health of adolescents but the incidence of teenage

pregnancy and conditions such as HIV and STI’s are high among adolescents in the Tema East

Sub-Metropolis compared to the other Sub-Metropolitan areas within the Tema Metropolis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of adolescent health clubs on

sex and condom use among junior high school students in the Tema East Sub-Metropolis. The

study hypothesised that there will be differences in knowledge, attitudes and behaviours

regarding sex and condom use between students in schools with AHC’s and students in schools

without AHC’s.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was used with data collected using a

questionnaire which was modified from a combination of previously validated questionnaires.

Statistical analysis was conducted using STATA 15. Chi square tests, Fisher’s Exact tests as

well as one-way analysis of variance were used in the analysis.Results: A total of 424 students participated in the study. Sources of information on puberty,

sexual and reproductive health and relationships for adolescents in the Sub-Metropolis were

mainly mothers, school teachers, friends and health personnel. Majority of adolescents had at

least average level of knowledge on reproductive physiology was and condom use. There was

a significant difference in level of knowledge on reproductive physiology (F (2,421) =10.14,

p