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Desmond Klu, Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana
Percival Agordoh, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences
Charles Azagba, Adaklu District Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service
Margaret Gyapong, Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences
Evelyn Ansah, Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences
Anthony Ofosu, Ghana Health Service
Abstract Purpose: We examined the factors that predicts sexual communication between adolescents and their parents in the Adaklu district of the Volta region of Ghana. Methods: A baseline cross-sectional household survey of 221 adolescents aged 10-19 years in 30 randomly selected communities was used. A well-structured questionnaire was developed and administered to the respondents. A multinomial logistics regression analysis was used to examine which factors significantly influenced sexual communication between adolescents and their parents. Results: Only 11.3% and 27.6% of adolescents had sexual discussions with both parents and only one parent respectively in Adaklu district. Adolescents males (AOR=0.21, CI=0.06-0.75), aged 10-14 years (AOR=0.41,CI=0.04-0.57), non-members of health club (AOR=0.46, CI=0.21-1.00), and living with only their father (AOR=0.19,CI= 0.06-0.61) have the lower odds of communicating with their parents on sexual issues. Conclusions: Adolescent-parental sexual communication in Adaklu district is very low. This situation requires more empowerment for adolescents to discuss sexual issues with their parents through increased adolescent health club activities and building capacity of parents with the right information on sexual and reproductive health by health staff within the district.
Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Health and morbidity, Family planning and contraception, Family demography