According to the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey (GMHS), knowledge of contraceptive methods is almost universal in Ghana; 99% of women aged 15-49 have heard of contraceptive methods with the most common modern method being the male condom (98% of women aged 15-49). The mean number of methods known by all women is 9.2. Despite this knowledge, the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) among this group is only 25% with a modern CPR (mCPR) rate of 20%. In addition to these staggering national m/CPR statistics, there is even marked disparity between regions of northern Ghana and their southern counterparts. Given this great achievement, one would have expected that, women especially young adults will take control of their sexual life. On the contrary, unplanned pregnancy is rife in some parts of the country especially among young adults aged 15 and above.
TFHO believes that knowledge may not at all times translate into behavior change. Desired behavior change is achieved through deliberate integration of behavioral factors into programing. We understand clients want convenience of information, products and service choice, availability and access, that is why we deploy last mile distribution models through community-based organizations and agents to make this possible.
Technology will play a critical role in getting us to where we want to be. With a youth population of 38% of our national population, we are reaching young adults through youth friendly programing such us campus reproductive health talk (CRHT), and workplace SAFE programs. We understand, young unmarried people may not want to move to health centers for family planning counselling, that is why we have collaborated with Ghana Health Service to re-launch “You Must Know” App – an android and IOS based application that connects youth to our live counselors on sexual reproductive health issues.
