Utilisation of Reproductive Health Services by Adolescent Boys in the Eastern Region of Ghana

In Ghana few studies have investigated the reproductive health needs of adolescent boys. The aim of this study was to find out sources of reproductive health information for boys and the reasons for their low/non use of public health services. Qualitative methods were used, including focus group discussions, semi-structured and informal interviews. Findings suggest that adolescent boys receive little reproductive health information from schools, parents or health services and there are several barriers to accessing public services, such as age restrictions and hostile staff attitudes. Instead, boys learn about sexual issues from their peers and the media, and seek reproductive health care from private practitioners, such as pharmacists and herbalists.

Keywords
Adolescent boys, reproductive health services, information, contraceptives, sexually transmitted infections, Ghana