Sexual behaviours and their associated factors among young people in the Dodowa Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (DHDSS) in Ghana.

OBJECTIVE: This paper describes sexual behaviours and their associated factors among young people. DESIGN: The study design is cross-sectional. SETTING: Dodowa Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (DHDSS) in Ghana's Shai-Osudoku and Ningo Prampram districts. PARTICIPANTS: Young people aged 10 to 24 years, median age 17 years. OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported to have ever had sex, non-use of a condom at last sex, and ever been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant. RESULTS: Of the 1689 young people; 42% reported having ever had sex, not using a condom at last sexual activity (64%), and ever been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant (41%). The proportion of non-use of condoms at last sex was high across all age groups but was highest (93%) in a small proportion of 10 to 14-year-olds who have ever had sex. Higher proportions of females than males; were reported to have ever had sex (46%), not using a condom at their last sex (66%) and ever been pregnant or getting someone pregnant (56%). Age group (20 to 24), females, primary or junior high school, living alone and lower household socio-economic status were risk factors associated with all three outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Risky sexual behaviour is high among young people in the Dodowa HDSS. Therefore, interventions that promote safer sexual practices and help young people make timely decisions on their sexual and reproductive health care needs are required. FUNDING: No funding was obtained for this paper.