Risky behaviours among adolescents in a rural community. A study conducted at Kwabre East District, Ashanti Region of Ghana

Abstract

Background: Risky behaviour among adolescents is a major public health problem in Ghana. The study was aimed at examining the risky behaviour of adolescents and the influence of protective factors on risk behaviour. Methodology: The study was cross-sectional design conducted in three secondary schools within the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana with 356 adolescents as participants. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (mean, percentages and frequencies), Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, cross tabulations, chi-squared test of independence and multiple regression. Results: A majority (56%) indicated that sexual activity is the most perceived risky behaviour among adolescents. A majority (68%) also reported that they discussed perceived risky behaviour with their families while (58%) had never accessed any adolescent friendly health services. The association between protective factors on sexual behaviour and substance used ranked access to health services, family support, school attended and religiosity in that order as protective shield for adolescent in dealing with risky behaviour. The regression analysis found that family and health services were positively significant on sexual behaviour whereas health services were positively significant on substance abused by adolescent. Conclusion: Although family support and access to health service serve as preventive strategies to reduce risky behaviours among adolescents there is the need to tackle the situation in a concerted, holistic and broad-based manner involving all stakeholders towards improving the wellbeing of adolescents.

Keywords

• adolescents
• risky behaviour
• religion
• family
• health service
• school