Media Exposure and Reproductive Health Behaviour Among Young Females in Ghana
Reproductive Health
22
Issue: 2
(10 - 2007)
The study is premised on the hypothesis that a young woman’s
exposure to the media increases her knowledge about sexual and
reproductive health risks, which in turn, influences her to adopt
positive sexual and reproductive behaviour. Using the 2003 Ghana
Demographic and Health Survey dataset on women 15-24 years, the
study finds that although a young woman’s exposure to the
newspapers positively affects her sexual and reproductive behaviour,
overall no consistent and statistically significant results were
produced particularly with reference to the electronic media (radio
and television). The conclusion is that mere exposure to the media
may not be enough to change one’s sexual and reproductive behaviour
if the contents of the particular media source do not positively
address sexual and reproductive health issues, a subject which the
study calls for further research.
Key Words: Media exposure, reproductive health behaviour, young
females, family planning, Ghana.
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