TITLE:
Knowledge of Modern Contraceptive Methods and Its Determinants among Female School Adolescents in Garoua, Cameroon, 2026
AUTHORS:
Rakya Inna, Jules Anthony Mbarga, Christiane Nsahlai, Clovis Ourtchingh, Dada Sakinatou, Patrice Lahiye Baba, Felix Essiben, Emile Telesphore Mboudou
KEYWORDS:
Contraception, Knowledge, Female Adolescents, Adolescent Girls, Determinants, Misconceptions, School, Garoua, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.16 No.6,
May
29,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Knowledge of modern contraceptive methods is a prerequisite for informed reproductive choices among adolescents. In northern Cameroon, where early pregnancy and school dropout rates are high, data on adolescents’ contraceptive knowledge and its sociodemographic determinants are scarce. Aim: To assess the level of knowledge of modern contraceptive methods, identify prevailing myths and misconceptions, and determine factors associated with adequate knowledge among female school adolescents in Garoua. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study conducted from January to April 2026 in eight secondary educational institutions of Garoua, selected by simple random sampling (computer-generated random numbers) from a sampling frame of all private and public schools in Garoua. The study targeted female adolescents, who bear the principal burden of early pregnancy; a total of 301 female adolescents aged 10 - 19 years and enrolled in secondary school were included. Knowledge was assessed using a 16-point composite score, which combined the number of correctly cited modern methods (max 8) with 8 binary knowledge items. A score ≥ 8/16 was defined as adequate knowledge. Bivariate analyses (χ2, Fisher) and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify independent determinants (p Results: Mean knowledge score was 4.1 ± 2.8/16; only 12.6% of adolescents had adequate knowledge. The female condom (36.9%) and the male condom (33.9%) were the most well-known methods, while emergency contraception (5.3%) and intrauterine devices (4.3%) were largely unknown. Pervasive misconceptions included the belief that contraception causes permanent infertility (48.3%), that the pill is 100% effective (32.0%), and ignorance of emergency contraception’s 72-hour window (73.8%). School was the main source of information (55.5%), followed by health personnel (22.7%), with parents accounting for only 6.7%. In multivariate analysis, adherence to traditional religion was independently associated with lower odds of adequate knowledge (aOR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.04 - 0.70; p = 0.015), while high school level (vs middle school) showed a strong positive association that narrowly missed significance (aOR = 4.45; 95% CI: 0.96 - 20.72; p = 0.057); age, parental discussion and information source were not significant after adjustment. Conclusion: Female school adolescents in Garoua exhibit very low levels of contraceptive knowledge, dominated by deep-rooted misconceptions. Adherence to traditional religion was independently associated with poorer knowledge, and high school level showed a strong positive association. Strengthening structured sexuality education from middle school onwards, debunking myths, engaging traditional and community leaders, and training health personnel and teachers as primary information providers represent priority interventions.