FACTORS AFFECTING UTILIZATION OF CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG MARRIED WOMEN IN NORTH GONJA DISTRICT OF GHANA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

ABSTRACT

In Ghana, fertility rates continue to vary widely; ranging from 2.5 children per woman in the Greater Accra region to 6.8 children in the Northern Region. Moreover, the use of any contraceptive method is highest among women in the Volta Region (32%) and lowest among women in the Northern Region (11%).Using a qualitative explorative descriptive design, this study explores the factors affecting contraceptive utilization among married women in the reproductive age group (15 – 49 years), through in-depth interviews in the North Gonja District. The data collected was analyzed by means of thematic analysis. This included construction of a thematic framework, coding, editing and categorization of available data as well as the creation of sub-themes. The study revealed that there is limited knowledge and a general lack of understanding about contraceptives among the married women who were interviewed. The result also suggested that male domination and social stigma are some of the factors affecting the utilization of contraceptives. In view of this, it is recommended that Ghana should develop some educational and counselling techniques to educate the public to help debunk the social stigma in the community. Besides, the study recommends an effective development and implementation of male-involvement contraceptive initiatives to address men's negative beliefs regarding contraceptive services.