Contraceptive use among 'at-risk' women in a metropolitan area in Ghana

Engaging in risky sexual behaviors puts a woman at increased risk of acquiring unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Barrier contraceptives protect against both. Field workers interviewed 1,070 such 'at-risk' women aged 18-35 years who had at least three coital acts per week and at least two sex partners in the previous three months to establish the prevalence of contraceptive use in the Kumasi metropolis in Ghana. Awareness and use of contraception applied to 96.4 and 50% of these women, respectively. The male condom was the commonest form of contraception (32%) followed by the pill (16%). Mean coital acts per week were 3.6 while mean new partners in the previous three months were 2.7. About 12 and 42% engaged in anal and oral sex, respectively. Almost 4% were using norethisterone in various dosages as emergency contraception. Low use of safe contraceptives and risky sexual practices are of concern among this population.