Are sexual and reproductive health interventions associated with improved adolescent health service utilization? An intervention study in Kassena Nankana Districts, Ghana

Gifty Apiung Aninanya, Navrongo Health Research Centre
Cornelius Y. Debpuur, Navrongo Health Research Centre
Abraham Hodgson, Navrongo Health Research Centre
Natasha Howard, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)

Many adolescents face sexual and reproductive health (SRH) risks. However, uptake of reproductive health services to mitigate these effects is low. This study assesses the association between provision of a SRH intervention and adolescent health service utilization. The study analyses data from a three-year project implementing SRH package (i.e. community mobilization and sensitization, youth-friendly health services, school-based SRH education, peer outreach) for adolescents. To measure project impact, 2,664 adolescents were interviewed, using structured questionnaires, before (2005) and after (2008) project implementation. Intervention and control participants were compared by frequency and logistic regression odds ratios. Results showed significant positive associations between SRH package implementation and adolescent health service usage. Implementation community participants were two times more likely to use STI/HIV/AIDS services (OR 2.23; 95%CI 1.73-2.86), 84% greater odds of utilising perinatal services (OR 1.84; 95% CI1.42-2.39), and 51% greater odds of using antenatal services (adjusted OR 1.51; 95%CI 1.12-2.02) than those in control communities.