The Utilization of Contraceptives by Teenagers in Lesotho: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey

Rets’elisitsoe Khiba; Isabel Nyangu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13

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The Utilization of Contraceptives by Teenagers in Lesotho: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey

Rets’elisitsoe Khiba^*

, Isabel Nyangu

Published in American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences (Volume 5, Issue 3)

Received: 25 June 2024 Accepted: 15 July 2024 Published: 29 July 2024

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Abstract

Background: Contraceptive service provision to teenagers prevents pregnancy and childbirth complications, which are the leading causes of death among teenage girls globally. The study aimed to assess how teenagers utilized the contraceptive services provided at selected healthcare facilities in Lesotho. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 194 teenagers who were conveniently sampled from two health facilities in Berea district, Lesotho. Permission to conduct the study was sought and granted from the Ministry of Health and written informed consent was sought from the participants before they completed self-administered questionnaires. Data was captured and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 24. Most (64.5%) of the teenagers knew that contraceptives prevented pregnancy, whilst a fifth of them referred to them as the prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Utilization of contraceptives was reported by just over a third and about two-fifths were able to access them at the public health clinics daily. Injectables and condoms were the most preferred methods used by teenagers. Factors that enhanced contraceptive usage included nurses’ friendliness, as well as an understanding of why teenagers are not fully utilizing the contraceptive services provided. Most teenagers were found not to be utilizing contraceptive services due to the belief that they led to weight gain and unsatisfactory intercourse. The study findings provided a need for and importance of contraceptive service provision to teenagers, including the need for education to improve their understanding and reduce myths. Hence, healthcare service providers need to improve access to contraceptive services to improve their utilization by teenagers.

Published in	American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences (Volume 5, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13
Page(s)	58-64
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Contraceptives, Utilization, Teenagers, Lesotho

References

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[2]	Young, H., Burke, L. and Nic Gabhainn, S. (2018) ‘Sexual intercourse, age of initiation and contraception among adolescents in Ireland: Findings from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Ireland study’, BMC Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5217-z
[3]	Ochen, A. M., Chi, P. C. and Lawoko, S. (2019) ‘Predictors of teenage pregnancy among girls aged 13-19 years in Uganda: A community based case-control study’, BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-019-2347-y
[4]	Appiah, P. K. et al. (2020) ‘Knowledge of and Adherence to Anemia Prevention strategies among pregnant women attending Antenatal care facilities in Juaboso District in Western- North Region, Ghana.
[5]	Agyemang, J. et al, (2019) ‘Contraceptive use and associated factors among sexually active female adolescents in Atwina Kwanwoma district, Ashanti region Ghana’.
[6]	Bakesiima, R. et al. (2020) ‘Modern contraceptive use among female refugee adolescents in northern Uganda: Prevalence and associated factors’, Reproductive Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-020-00921-y
[7]	Williams, B. et al. (2021) 'Adolescent emergency contraception usage, knowledge and perception'. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2021.01.003
[8]	Yakubu, I. and Salisu, W. J. (2018) ‘Determinants of adolescent pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review’, Reproductive Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-018-0460-4
[9]	Wooley, L. and Mackinco, J. (2019) ' Association between socio-demographic characteristics and sexual behaviours among a nationally representative sample of adolescent students in Brazil'. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00208517
[10]	Gliem, J. A. and Gliem, R. R. ‘ Calculating, Interpreting and reporting Cronbach’s alpha reliability Coefficient for Likert-types scales.
[11]	Aventin, Á. et al. (2021) ‘Adaptation of a gender-transformative sexual and reproductive health intervention for adolescent boys in South Africa and Lesotho using intervention mapping’, Global Health Action. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.1927329
[12]	Chandra-Mouli, V. et al. (2017) ‘A never-before opportunity to strengthen investment and action on adolescent contraception, and what we must do to make full use of it’, Reproductive Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-017-0347-9
[13]	Chandra-Mouli, V. and Akwara, E. (2020) ‘ Improving access to and use of Contraception by adolescents: What progress has been made, what lessons have been learnt, and what are the Implications for action’. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2020.04.003
[14]	Engel, DMC. et al. (2019) ‘A package of sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights I nterventions- What does it mean for Adolescents?’ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.09.014
[15]	Government of Lesotho (2015) Lesotho Demographic and health survey 2014, Lesotho Ministry of Health.
[16]	Mturi, A. J. (2003) ‘Parents’ Attitudes to Adolescent Sexual Behaviour in Lesotho’, African Journal of Reproductive Health. https://doi.org/10.2307/3583210
[17]	Herbert, P. (2018). 'How community partnership prove essential in the futures of young mothers in Lesotho'.
[18]	Proyer, R. T. et al. (2012) ‘A multi-method approach to studying the relationship between character strengths and vocational interests in adolescents’, International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-012-9223-x
[19]	Nkani, N. and Bhana, D. (2016) ‘Sexual and reproductive well-being of teenage mothers in a South African township school’, South African Journal of Education. https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v36n2a1181
[20]	Ameyaw, E. K. (2019) ‘Prevalence and determinants of unintended pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa: A multi-country analysis of demographic and health surveys. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220970
[21]	Jain, M. et al. (2014) ‘A study on knowledge attitude and practice of contraception in school going children in Wardha district in central India’, International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3(4), p. 903. https://doi.org/10.5455/2320-1770.ijrcog20141206
[22]	Munakampe, M. N., Zulu, J. M. and Michelo, C. (2018) ‘Contraception and abortion knowledge, attitudes and practices among adolescents from low and middle-income countries: A systematic review’, BMC Health Services Research. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1), pp. 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3722-5
[23]	Odimegwu, C. and Mkwananzi, S. (2016) ‘Factors associated with teen pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: A multi-country cross-sectional study’, African Journal of Reproductive Health. https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2016/v20i3.14

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APA Style

Khiba, R., Nyangu, I. (2024). The Utilization of Contraceptives by Teenagers in Lesotho: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey. American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences, 5(3), 58-64. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13

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ACS Style

Khiba, R.; Nyangu, I. The Utilization of Contraceptives by Teenagers in Lesotho: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey. Am. J. Nurs. Health Sci. 2024, 5(3), 58-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13

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AMA Style

Khiba R, Nyangu I. The Utilization of Contraceptives by Teenagers in Lesotho: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey. Am J Nurs Health Sci. 2024;5(3):58-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13,
  author = {Rets’elisitsoe Khiba and Isabel Nyangu},
  title = {The Utilization of Contraceptives by Teenagers in Lesotho: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey
},
  journal = {American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences},
  volume = {5},
  number = {3},
  pages = {58-64},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajnhs.20240503.13},
  abstract = {Background: Contraceptive service provision to teenagers prevents pregnancy and childbirth complications, which are the leading causes of death among teenage girls globally. The study aimed to assess how teenagers utilized the contraceptive services provided at selected healthcare facilities in Lesotho. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 194 teenagers who were conveniently sampled from two health facilities in Berea district, Lesotho. Permission to conduct the study was sought and granted from the Ministry of Health and written informed consent was sought from the participants before they completed self-administered questionnaires. Data was captured and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 24. Most (64.5%) of the teenagers knew that contraceptives prevented pregnancy, whilst a fifth of them referred to them as the prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Utilization of contraceptives was reported by just over a third and about two-fifths were able to access them at the public health clinics daily. Injectables and condoms were the most preferred methods used by teenagers. Factors that enhanced contraceptive usage included nurses’ friendliness, as well as an understanding of why teenagers are not fully utilizing the contraceptive services provided. Most teenagers were found not to be utilizing contraceptive services due to the belief that they led to weight gain and unsatisfactory intercourse. The study findings provided a need for and importance of contraceptive service provision to teenagers, including the need for education to improve their understanding and reduce myths. Hence, healthcare service providers need to improve access to contraceptive services to improve their utilization by teenagers.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Utilization of Contraceptives by Teenagers in Lesotho: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey

AU  - Rets’elisitsoe Khiba
AU  - Isabel Nyangu
Y1  - 2024/07/29
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13
T2  - American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences
JF  - American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences
JO  - American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences
SP  - 58
EP  - 64
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7227
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13
AB  - Background: Contraceptive service provision to teenagers prevents pregnancy and childbirth complications, which are the leading causes of death among teenage girls globally. The study aimed to assess how teenagers utilized the contraceptive services provided at selected healthcare facilities in Lesotho. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 194 teenagers who were conveniently sampled from two health facilities in Berea district, Lesotho. Permission to conduct the study was sought and granted from the Ministry of Health and written informed consent was sought from the participants before they completed self-administered questionnaires. Data was captured and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 24. Most (64.5%) of the teenagers knew that contraceptives prevented pregnancy, whilst a fifth of them referred to them as the prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Utilization of contraceptives was reported by just over a third and about two-fifths were able to access them at the public health clinics daily. Injectables and condoms were the most preferred methods used by teenagers. Factors that enhanced contraceptive usage included nurses’ friendliness, as well as an understanding of why teenagers are not fully utilizing the contraceptive services provided. Most teenagers were found not to be utilizing contraceptive services due to the belief that they led to weight gain and unsatisfactory intercourse. The study findings provided a need for and importance of contraceptive service provision to teenagers, including the need for education to improve their understanding and reduce myths. Hence, healthcare service providers need to improve access to contraceptive services to improve their utilization by teenagers.

VL  - 5
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Rets’elisitsoe Khiba

Department of Nursing, National University of Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-5234-219X
Isabel Nyangu

School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland, United Kingdom

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5892-9248

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Khiba, R., Nyangu, I. (2024). The Utilization of Contraceptives by Teenagers in Lesotho: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey. American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences, 5(3), 58-64. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13

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ACS Style

Khiba, R.; Nyangu, I. The Utilization of Contraceptives by Teenagers in Lesotho: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey. Am. J. Nurs. Health Sci. 2024, 5(3), 58-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13

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AMA Style

Khiba R, Nyangu I. The Utilization of Contraceptives by Teenagers in Lesotho: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey. Am J Nurs Health Sci. 2024;5(3):58-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13,
  author = {Rets’elisitsoe Khiba and Isabel Nyangu},
  title = {The Utilization of Contraceptives by Teenagers in Lesotho: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey
},
  journal = {American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences},
  volume = {5},
  number = {3},
  pages = {58-64},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajnhs.20240503.13},
  abstract = {Background: Contraceptive service provision to teenagers prevents pregnancy and childbirth complications, which are the leading causes of death among teenage girls globally. The study aimed to assess how teenagers utilized the contraceptive services provided at selected healthcare facilities in Lesotho. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 194 teenagers who were conveniently sampled from two health facilities in Berea district, Lesotho. Permission to conduct the study was sought and granted from the Ministry of Health and written informed consent was sought from the participants before they completed self-administered questionnaires. Data was captured and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 24. Most (64.5%) of the teenagers knew that contraceptives prevented pregnancy, whilst a fifth of them referred to them as the prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Utilization of contraceptives was reported by just over a third and about two-fifths were able to access them at the public health clinics daily. Injectables and condoms were the most preferred methods used by teenagers. Factors that enhanced contraceptive usage included nurses’ friendliness, as well as an understanding of why teenagers are not fully utilizing the contraceptive services provided. Most teenagers were found not to be utilizing contraceptive services due to the belief that they led to weight gain and unsatisfactory intercourse. The study findings provided a need for and importance of contraceptive service provision to teenagers, including the need for education to improve their understanding and reduce myths. Hence, healthcare service providers need to improve access to contraceptive services to improve their utilization by teenagers.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Utilization of Contraceptives by Teenagers in Lesotho: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey

AU  - Rets’elisitsoe Khiba
AU  - Isabel Nyangu
Y1  - 2024/07/29
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13
T2  - American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences
JF  - American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences
JO  - American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences
SP  - 58
EP  - 64
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7227
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.13
AB  - Background: Contraceptive service provision to teenagers prevents pregnancy and childbirth complications, which are the leading causes of death among teenage girls globally. The study aimed to assess how teenagers utilized the contraceptive services provided at selected healthcare facilities in Lesotho. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 194 teenagers who were conveniently sampled from two health facilities in Berea district, Lesotho. Permission to conduct the study was sought and granted from the Ministry of Health and written informed consent was sought from the participants before they completed self-administered questionnaires. Data was captured and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 24. Most (64.5%) of the teenagers knew that contraceptives prevented pregnancy, whilst a fifth of them referred to them as the prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Utilization of contraceptives was reported by just over a third and about two-fifths were able to access them at the public health clinics daily. Injectables and condoms were the most preferred methods used by teenagers. Factors that enhanced contraceptive usage included nurses’ friendliness, as well as an understanding of why teenagers are not fully utilizing the contraceptive services provided. Most teenagers were found not to be utilizing contraceptive services due to the belief that they led to weight gain and unsatisfactory intercourse. The study findings provided a need for and importance of contraceptive service provision to teenagers, including the need for education to improve their understanding and reduce myths. Hence, healthcare service providers need to improve access to contraceptive services to improve their utilization by teenagers.

VL  - 5
IS  - 3
ER  -

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