Sexual behaviour and the utilization of Youth Friendly Health Services: a cross-sectional study among urban youth in Ghana

Abstract Background The utilization of reproductive health services among high-risk youth populations is low in developing countries. This study was aimed at assessing the sexual behaviours, and utilization of youth-friendly health services (YFHS) and its factors among urban youth in Ghana. Method This was a cross-sectional study that employed a structured questionnaire to interview 403 youth aged 15 to 24 years in the Accra Metropolitan area of Ghana. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between the utilization of YFHS and independent variables. Results The mean age of the respondents was 18.3±2.5 years. Approximately half of the youth were sexually active (50.4%), and 77.3% of them initiated sex after 15 years. Sexual debut was mostly consensual (94.6%), without the use of condoms (66%). Current contraceptive use was low (35%), and only 10.3% had multiple sexual partners. Awareness (25.1%) and the utilization (7.9%) of YFHS were low. Multiple regression analysis revealed awareness or knowledge about YFHS (OR=55.93; 95% CI=12.32-253.88) and perceived expensive cost of YFHS (OR=0.10; 95% CI=0.01-0.87) were significantly associated with the use of YFHS by the youth. Conclusion Contraceptive use and the utilization of YFHS were low among this urban youth. Awareness or knowledge about YFHS center and its services and the cost of YFHS influenced the utilization of the YFHS among the youth. Evidence presented by the study is important to guide the development of health policy and interventions on addressing the gaps in the provision of sexual and reproductive health services among young people in Ghana.