KNOWLEDGE of the OVULATORY CYCLE and ITS DETERMINANTS among ADOLESCENT FEMALES IN GHANA

Grace AFRIFA-ANANE, University of Environment and Sustainable Development

Good knowledge about the ovulatory cycle plays an important role in reducing unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions among adolescent females. This study sought to assess adolescent females’ knowledge regarding the ovulatory cycle and its determinants in Ghana. Data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey was used and a sample of 2,682 adolescent females was analysed. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the predictors of ovulatory cycle knowledge. All associations were considered statistically significant at 95% confidence level. The prevalence of ovulatory cycle knowledge was 26.5%. Respondents who had attained higher education (AOR=2.57; CI=1.330–4.977), at least one child (AOR=1.47; CI=1.071–2.019), used traditional contraceptives (AOR=1.54; CI=1.001–2.38) and had media exposure to family planning messages(AOR=1.78; CI=1.468 –2.151) had higher odds of having good knowledge about the ovulation cycle compared to others. Those who had no intention to use contraceptives(AOR= 0.75; CI=0.556 –0.998) had lower likelihood of having good knowledge about the ovulatory cycle. Knowledge of the ovulatory cycle among adolescent females in Ghana is low and this may be contributing to unwanted pregnancies. Public health interventions should target adolescent females who have lower levels of education and those who do not intend to use contraceptives.

Keywords: Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

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