Abstract:

The issue of adolescent sexual and reproductive health concern is a growing global public health issue that has recently received both national and international attention. The study adopted a non-interventional cross-sectional study design, aimed at assessing gender differentials in sexual-reproductive risk exposures among high school students in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of Ghana. The study enrolled 820 participants using structured questionnaire as primary data collection tool and focus group discussion. The study key findings are; no statistically significant difference was observed for ever had boy/girlfriends for male (51.2%) and females (49%). Males (54%) and females (46%) ever had sexual intercourse, with no significant difference (p>0.005). Mean age in years of sexual debut was 15.02 for males and s 15.85 for females. Protection during sexual intercourse was 49% for males and versus 51% for females. Occurrence of pregnancy was 19.5% with 90.2% ending in abortion. Contraceptive use and family planning adoption were not statistically significant for males (58.0%) and females (42.0%) (p>0.005). Multiple sexual partner status was higher for males (54.2%) than females (30.5%). Anal or oral sex among males (60.5%) was more than females (39.5%). Males (68.0%) significantly reported higher involvement in masturbation than females (32.0%) (p<0.005). Same-sex relationship (homosexuality) was higher for males (57%) than females (43%) and was not significant (p>0.005). The study findings suggest inadequate reproductive health knowledge among students. Inclusion of sexual and reproductive health education in the curriculum of schools is essential.

Keywords: Gender, Students, Reproductive Risk, Ejisu-Juaben, Ghana.

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