Factors associated with sexual and reproductive health stigma among adolescent girls in Ghana

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Kelli Stidham Hall, Emory University; Emmanuel Morhe, University of Allied Health and Sciences; Abubakar Manu, University of Ghana; Lisa H. Harris, University of Michigan; Elizabeth Ela, University of Michigan; Dana Loll, University of Michigan; Giselle Kolenic, University of Michigan; Jessica L. Dozier, Emory University; Sneha Challa, University of Michigan; Melissa K. Zochowski, University of Michigan; Andrew Boakye, University of Westminster; Richard Adanu, University of Ghana; Vanessa K. Dalton, University of Michigan
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-04-02
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2018 Hall et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195163
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: PLoS ONE
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: e0195163
• End Page: e0195163
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the Society of Family Planning Research Fund Award #SFPRF8-1, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) #1K01HD080722-01A1 (KSH), NICHD #K12HD001438 (for KSH while she was at the University of Michigan, PI Johnson), and awards from the University of Michigan’s African Social Research Initiative and Office of the Vice President of Research.
• Keywords: Health systems strengthening; WOMEN; Religion; Human families; Copulation; Pregnancy; Schools; Multidisciplinary Sciences; UNINTENDED PREGNANCY; STRESS; ATTITUDES; Science & Technology; Science & Technology - Other Topics; MENTAL-ILLNESS; Adolescents; Psychological stress; SCALE
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Abstract

Objective Using our previously developed and tested Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Stigma Scale, we investigated factors associated with perceived SRH stigma among adolescent girls in Ghana. Methods We drew upon data from our survey study of 1,063 females 15-24yrs recruited from community- and clinic-based sites in two Ghanaian cities. Our Adolescent SRH Stigma Scale comprised 20 items and 3 sub-scales (Internalized, Enacted, Lay Attitudes) to measure stigma occurring with sexual activity, contraceptive use, pregnancy, abortion and family planning service use. We assessed relationships between a comprehensive set of demographic, health and social factors and SRH Stigma with multi-level multivariable linear regression models. Results In unadjusted bivariate analyses, compared to their counterparts, SRH stigma scores were higher among girls who were younger, Accra residents, Muslim, still in/dropped out of secondary school, unemployed, reporting excellent/very good health, not in a relationship, not sexually experienced, never received family planning services, never used contraception, but had been pregnant (all p-values < 0.05). In multivariable models, higher SRH stigma scores were associated with history of pregnancy (β = 1.53, CI = 0.51,2.56) and excellent/very good self-rated health (β = 0.89, CI = 0.20,1.58), while lower stigma scores were associated with older age (β = -0.17, 95%CI = -0.24,-0.09), higher educational attainment (β = -1.22, CI = -1.82,-0.63), and sexual intercourse experience (β = -1.32, CI = -2.10,-0.55). Conclusions Findings provide insight into factors contributing to SRH stigma among this young Ghanaian female sample. Further research disentangling the complex interrelationships between SRH stigma, health, and social context is needed to guide multi-level interventions to address SRH stigma and its causes and consequences for adolescents worldwide.