A Cross-sectional Study of the Sexual History and Contraceptive Use of Female Hairdressers in Ghana

Abstract

Abstract The social environment of the hairdressing salon provides the opportunity to discuss sexual exploits among peers and this may easily influence decisions concerning sexual behaviour. Hairdressing salon workers are often women in their reproductive years and may be at risk of unintended pregnancy and self-induced abortions. Therefore, the effective use of contraceptives is imperative among these age groups. The study assessed the sexual history and contraceptive use among female hairdressers in two (2) selected communities in Ghana. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design with a quantitative method was employed in two communities within Kumasi city. Convenience sampling was used to select 109 hairdressers after using Yamane’s formula to calculate sample sizes. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analysed using SPSS. Results: The majority of the respondents (73.4%) had their first sexual activity within 15–19 years. A total of 64.2% had ever conceived, with 72.9% of the pregnancies being unintended. All the respondents had knowledge of contraceptives. More than 80% of respondents reported that they had ever used a contraceptive method, with the calendar method being the most previously and currently used method. Age and educational level had a significant effect on contraceptive knowledge (p < 0.001), while marital status, educational level, occupation, age at first sex and ever having an unintended pregnancy influenced contraceptive use (p < 0.05), and contraceptive knowledge influenced its usage (p = 0.003). Conclusion: The study found the calendar method to be the most commonly used contraceptive, which has a high failure rate compared to artificial contraceptive methods, which may have explained the high rate of pregnancy among participants. It is therefore crucial that sexually active women are provided accurate information on family planning methods. Implications: Knowing the sexual behaviour of hairdressers, their knowledge and their use of contraceptives will help nurses and midwives tailor education to their needs. This study calls for intense education on contraceptives targeted at artisans. Again, it will help influence policy change on artisan training and other reproductive health programmes targeted at hairdressers.