MODERN CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG YOUNG WOMEN IN BUDUMBURAM REFUGEE CAMP IN GHANA

ABSTRACT 

Background: Despite high knowledge about modern contraceptives among young women, utilization levels are still low. Contraceptive prevalence is particular low among minority and under-served populations including refugees. Among young refugee women in the Budumburam refugee camp in Ghana, however, little research has been done to assess modern contraceptive use. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of modern contraceptives. Among young refugee women in the Budumburam refugee camp in Ghana. 

Methods: The study design was a cross sectional survey. A combination of cluster sampling and simple random sampling technique were used to select 242 young women between the ages of 15-24 years from the Budumburam refugee camp. Structured questionnaires were administered to these women to collect data. Data were analysed using STATA software version 13. Descriptive data analysis techniques (frequency, mean and standard deviation) and bivariate and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the use of modern contraceptives and factors associated with modern contraceptive use among young women in the refugee camp. 

Results: More than half of the respondents (64.5%) have ever heard about modern contraceptives. However, out of those who have ever had sex, only 33.88% had used modern contraceptive before. A number of factors were found to be influencing the contraceptive usage, including misconceptions about contraceptive use among young women and fear of side effects. Bivariate and logistic analyses showed that some sociodemographic and community level and service related factors such as age and country of birth were significantly associated with modern contraceptive usage. 

Conclusions: Findings from this study has provided vital baseline information about the factors that support or hinder the use of modern contraceptive among young women in the refugee camp. This information could potentially be used to effectively plan and deliver family planning and contraceptive services to young refugee women in the Budumburam refugee camp.