Exploring the causes of change in adolescent girls’ sexual behaviour in Begoro, Ghana

Abstract

There is a changing trend in adolescent girls‘ sexual and reproductive behaviour in Ghana. However, contemporary perspectives on adolescent girls‘ sexual behaviours are largely missing hence this study. Thematic analysis of data collected through in-depth interviews with adolescent girls and community members as well as focus group discussions with adolescent boys identified several factors accounting for the changes in adolescent girls‘ sexual and reproductive behaviour. These factors include changes in girls‘ attitudes to traditional practices, diversity in the agents of socialization as well as the age at menarche. This has resulted in a clash of value system between girls‘ sexual behaviours and that of the elderly. Thus, the social context in which girls are experiencing sexual and reproductive life in Ghana is changing and this must be taken into consideration when designing any intervention to help adolescent girls become resilient in their sexual and reproductive lives.

Keywords: adolescent girls, sexual behaviour, social change, Ghana