Exploring Ghanaian Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Information Source(s): A Qualitative Approach

Authors

Daniel Edem Adzovie, Tomas Bata University in ZlinFollow
Rita Holm Adzovie, University of Cape Coast

Abstract

Adolescents require information on several issues including sexual and reproductive health (SRH), which most of them receive from numerous sources. The study explored the kinds of SRH information sources adolescents in Ghana are exposed to and the source(s) which serve as their trusted one(s) vis-à-vis reasons given for trusting their sources. Using the Qualitative method of inquiry, the authors employed purposive and snowball sampling techniques to sample and interview twenty-one (n=21) adolescents (female and male) of the university of Cape Coast, Ghana. Results revealed that parents, especially mothers, are the most trusted sources of SRH information to adolescents in Ghana. Also, adolescents interviewed revealed that they source SRH information from their peers. Findings of the study inform and contribute to literature on trusted adolescent SRH information sources and impact policy directions on why adolescents in Ghana trust some SRH information sources over others. Implications for guidance and counselling have been discussed.

Keywords

adolescent, sexual and reproductive health information, parents, advertisements, media, qualitative study, Ghana

Author Bio(s)

Dr. Daniel Edem Adzovie teaches courses in communication studies at the Deppartment of Communication Studies, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Edem has taught Film, History and Society course as a Graduate Instructor at FMK of TBU during his Ph.D. studies. Edem has presented research findings at international conferences and published in reputable peer-reviewed journals. His areas are African films, advertising, health comm, multimodality and general media studies. Please direct correspondence to daniel.adzovie@ucc.edu.gh.

Dr. (Mrs.) Rita Holm Adzovie is a senior lecturer and a professional counsellor at the department of Guidance and Counselling of Faculty of Educational Foundations of University of Cape Coast, Ghana. She teaches counselling-related courses and is very passionate about relationships and family life. Rita has attended and presented research findings at several international conferences. She has also published extensively in reputable journals. Rita’s research interests include adolescent sexual and reproductive health, marriage, family life and educational counselling.

Acknowledgements

The authors will like to acknowledge the Dean and vice-Deans of the Faculty of Multimedia Communications for their immense support in conducting this study. We also acknowledge the support of the staff at the international office of the faculty as well as the participants (students of University of Cape Coast) for their support. The study was supported with funding from the Internal Grant Agency of the Faculty of Multimedia Communications (FMK) of Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Czech Republic, No. IGA/FMK/2020/001.

Publication Date

3-5-2022

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5126

Recommended APA Citation

Adzovie, D. E., & Adzovie, R. H. (2022). Exploring Ghanaian Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Information Source(s): A Qualitative Approach. The Qualitative Report, 27(3), 648-663. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5126

ORCID ID

0000-0001-5553-5705