Determinants and Use of Family Planning Among Young Women (18-28 Years) Attending Health Facilities in Garu-Tempane District of Ghana

Background: Improving family planning use across Sub-Saharan Africa is critical for improving women’s health outcomes. Aim: We aim to provide new perspectives of family planning use in a rural setting of Ghana. Method: Applying a descriptive cross-sectional design, a total of 720 young women attending health facilities were interviewed with a questionnaire whiles 40 other participants were engaged in focus group discussions. Six in-depth interviews with midwives were conducted. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS to generate frequencies and associations whiles qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. Results: Ever use was higher (54.8%) than current use (33.9%). Statistically significant relationships were found between marital status and family union type for current users. Lack of partner (p<0.001) and family support (p<0.001), lack of access on demand (p<0.001), ever educated on use (p<0.001), ever experience of side effects (p=0.018), poor knowledge (p<0.001), unsatisfactory services (p<0.001) and negative attitude of providers (p<0.001) were significant self-reported factors influencing family planning use. Ever use (p<0.001, a OR=49.4) and access on demand (p<0.001, a OR=2.5) significantly predicted family planning use. Conclusions: Addressing current user’s myths and misconceptions whiles addressing institutional barriers have positive effects on family planning use for young women.