Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Vibha D. Kumar

Abstract

This research study was an investigation into the factors associated with the use of modern contraceptives among reproductive-age women in the New Juaben Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana. Reproductive-age women in the Municipality have been found to have a high rate of unplanned pregnancies despite the availability of modern contraceptives. Telephone interviews were conducted with 15 reproductive-age women (20 to 39 years) from the New Juaben Municipality who were recruited voluntarily using purposive sampling technique. The research was based on the health belief model to explore the knowledge, perceived threats, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and cues to action in the use of modern contraceptives. The findings indicated that participants acknowledge the negative consequences of unintended pregnancy, and they expressed the desire to use modern contraceptives to either prevent unintended pregnancy or space their births. The study also established that the low utilization of the modern contraceptive services is influenced by low knowledge, misconceptions and perceptions about side effects in using the modern contraceptives, and religious beliefs. Recommendations include the creation of more awareness and intensify education on the modern contraceptive methods. The implications for positive social change include a better understanding of why women 20 to 39 years are not efficiently using modern contraceptives to prevent unintended pregnancy.

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