Utilization Of Contraceptives Among Adolescent In Sub-Saharan Africa, Trends And Challenges

Abstract

Over the last ten years, global commitments to and support for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) have increased. Adolescent contraception availability has emerged as a critical focal area within this agenda, notably in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where the biggest unmet contraception need exists. In SSA, however, there is little synthesized research about adolescent contraceptive usage, knowledge, and availability. This review summarizes and evaluates the literature on the subject in order to assess policy and program implications, as well as to direct future study. The majority of extant research is focused on South Africa, however there are also few studies from East Africa. The majority of this study is qualitative, with only a few mixed technique studies and one interventional randomized control trial. Multiple studies have found that teenagers in Sub-Saharan Africa have a large unmet contraceptive requirement. The majority of adolescents learn about contraception from the media or their classmates. Contraception access and demand are hampered by persistent beliefs about its effectiveness and side effects, as well as cultural and gender conventions. Education level and socioeconomic status are other variables of access and use. As a result, intervention studies emphasize that SRH outcomes are limited by cultural barriers and socioeconomic conditions.