Adolescents, Social Media and Access to Reproductive Health Information and Services in Ghana: Prospects and Challenges
Based on:
Chapter in an Edited Book (2023)
This study examines how adolescents in Tamale, Ghana, use social media to access reproductive health information and services, analyzing factors influencing utilization, usage patterns, and associated challenges.
Brief by:
Content
Adolescents in Ghana face reproductive health challenges such as high rates of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and a lack of accessible reproductive health services. Over 555,575 adolescent pregnancies were recorded between 2016 and 2020. Accessing traditional health services can be difficult for adolescents due to stigma and judgmental attitudes from healthcare providers. In this context, social media offers an alternative avenue for adolescents to access reproductive health services and information in a private and autonomous manner. This study specifically focuses on adolescents in Tamale, a cosmopolitan city, to assess the extent to which social media is used for reproductive health and the barriers that limit its effective use.
Key findings
Fewer than half of the adolescents surveyed use social media to access reproductive health information.
Evidence
45.4% of the 342 adolescents surveyed reported accessing reproductive health information through social media. Facebook was the most frequently used platform (71.2%).
What it means
Despite high social media usage among adolescents, less than half use it to seek reproductive health information, indicating that barriers beyond access to technology-such as privacy concerns or misinformation-may restrict usage.
Adolescents in romantic relationships are more likely to use social media for reproductive health services.
Evidence
Adolescents in romantic relationships had 2.3 times higher odds of using social media to access reproductive health services compared to those not in relationships (aOR = 2.25, 95% CI 1.39–3.64, p < 0.001).
What it means
Adolescents in relationships likely have a greater need for information on contraception, STIs, and other sexual health concerns, making social media a critical resource for them.
Urban adolescents are more likely than rural adolescents to access reproductive health services via social media.
Evidence
Urban residents had 55% higher odds of using social media for reproductive health services than rural residents (aOR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.00–2.41, p < 0.040).
What it means
The disparity in internet access and infrastructure between urban and rural areas directly impacts adolescents' ability to use social media for health purposes, reflecting broader socio-economic inequalities.
Male adolescents are more likely than females to use social media for reproductive health services.
Evidence
Male adolescents were 62% more likely to use social media for reproductive health services compared to females (aOR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.01–2.59, p < 0.045).
What it means
This gender disparity suggests that male adolescents may feel less stigma when seeking reproductive health information online, whereas female adolescents may encounter additional social or cultural barriers.
Mobile phone ownership and frequent social media use are crucial enablers for accessing reproductive health services online.
Evidence
Adolescents who owned mobile phones were twice as likely to use social media for reproductive health services (aOR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.17–3.49, p < 0.013). Adolescents who regularly used social media were 6.37 times more likely to access reproductive health services online (aOR = 6.37, 95% CI 3.68–11.05, p < 0.001).
What it means
Access to mobile technology and internet connectivity are critical determinants of whether adolescents can use social media for reproductive health purposes, highlighting the role of economic factors in health access.
Adolescents avoid traditional reproductive health services due to concerns over privacy and perceived judgmental attitudes.
Evidence
Focus group discussions indicated that adolescents prefer social media for accessing reproductive health information due to concerns about privacy and being judged by health providers at formal healthcare facilities.
What it means
Adolescents' reluctance to engage with traditional health services underscores the need for more youth-friendly, confidential, and non-judgmental health services. Recommendations: None were explicitly provided in the original paper.
Proposed action
Reduce the cost of smartphones and internet data
Enhance the reliability of reproductive health information online
Improve privacy and confidentiality in healthcare facilities
Provide adolescent-specific spaces in health facilities
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Adolescents, Social Media and Access to Reproductive Health Information and Services in Ghana: Prospects and Challenges
Cite this brief: Abubakari, Abdulai. 'Adolescents, Social Media and Access to Reproductive Health Information and Services in Ghana: Prospects and Challenges'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/adolescents-social-media-and-access-to-reproductive-health-information-and-services-in-ghana-prospects-and-challenges/
Brief created by: Professor Abdulai Abubakari | Year brief made: 2024
Original research:
- Abubakari, A., Adolescents, Social Media and Access to Reproductive Health Information and Services in Ghana: Prospects and Challenges In Conception and Family Planning – New Aspects https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.111768. – https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/87291
Research brief:
This study examines how adolescents in Tamale, Ghana, use social media to access reproductive health information and services, analyzing factors influencing utilization, usage patterns, and associated challenges.
Adolescents in Ghana face reproductive health challenges such as high rates of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and a lack of accessible reproductive health services. Over 555,575 adolescent pregnancies were recorded between 2016 and 2020. Accessing traditional health services can be difficult for adolescents due to stigma and judgmental attitudes from healthcare providers. In this context, social media offers an alternative avenue for adolescents to access reproductive health services and information in a private and autonomous manner. This study specifically focuses on adolescents in Tamale, a cosmopolitan city, to assess the extent to which social media is used for reproductive health and the barriers that limit its effective use.
Findings:
Fewer than half of the adolescents surveyed use social media to access reproductive health information.
45.4% of the 342 adolescents surveyed reported accessing reproductive health information through social media. Facebook was the most frequently used platform (71.2%).
Despite high social media usage among adolescents, less than half use it to seek reproductive health information, indicating that barriers beyond access to technology-such as privacy concerns or misinformation-may restrict usage.
Adolescents in romantic relationships are more likely to use social media for reproductive health services.
Adolescents in romantic relationships had 2.3 times higher odds of using social media to access reproductive health services compared to those not in relationships (aOR = 2.25, 95% CI 1.39–3.64, p < 0.001).
Adolescents in relationships likely have a greater need for information on contraception, STIs, and other sexual health concerns, making social media a critical resource for them.
Urban adolescents are more likely than rural adolescents to access reproductive health services via social media.
Urban residents had 55% higher odds of using social media for reproductive health services than rural residents (aOR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.00–2.41, p < 0.040).
The disparity in internet access and infrastructure between urban and rural areas directly impacts adolescents’ ability to use social media for health purposes, reflecting broader socio-economic inequalities.
Male adolescents are more likely than females to use social media for reproductive health services.
Male adolescents were 62% more likely to use social media for reproductive health services compared to females (aOR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.01–2.59, p < 0.045).
This gender disparity suggests that male adolescents may feel less stigma when seeking reproductive health information online, whereas female adolescents may encounter additional social or cultural barriers.
Mobile phone ownership and frequent social media use are crucial enablers for accessing reproductive health services online.
Adolescents who owned mobile phones were twice as likely to use social media for reproductive health services (aOR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.17–3.49, p < 0.013). Adolescents who regularly used social media were 6.37 times more likely to access reproductive health services online (aOR = 6.37, 95% CI 3.68–11.05, p < 0.001).
Access to mobile technology and internet connectivity are critical determinants of whether adolescents can use social media for reproductive health purposes, highlighting the role of economic factors in health access.
Adolescents avoid traditional reproductive health services due to concerns over privacy and perceived judgmental attitudes.
Focus group discussions indicated that adolescents prefer social media for accessing reproductive health information due to concerns about privacy and being judged by health providers at formal healthcare facilities.
Adolescents’ reluctance to engage with traditional health services underscores the need for more youth-friendly, confidential, and non-judgmental health services. Recommendations: None were explicitly provided in the original paper.
Advice:
Reduce the cost of smartphones and internet data
Enhance the reliability of reproductive health information online
Improve privacy and confidentiality in healthcare facilities
Provide adolescent-specific spaces in health facilities