Associations between alcohol drinking patterns and sexual and reproductive health outcomes among females of reproductive age in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Alcohol use is a modifiable behaviour that may influence sexual and reproductive health (SRH). This study examined associations between alcohol drinking patterns and SRH outcomes among females of reproductive age in Ghana. A cross-sectional study design that utilised a dataset from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey was employed in this study. The data consisted of SRH outcomes and patterns of alcohol use of 15,014 females. Associations between alcohol drinking patterns and SRH among females of reproductive age were determined using chi-square, binary, and multinomial logistic regression analyses. Overall, 13.6% of the study participants consumed alcohol with varying patterns. An estimated 86.4%, 7.8%, 3.7%, and 2.1% of study participants engaged in abstinence, moderate, low-risk, and heavy drinking patterns, respectively. A dose-response relationship was observed for extra-spousal sexual partners [moderate (AOR = 1.955; 95% CI = 1.535, 2.490), low-risk (AOR = 2.537; 95% CI = 1.911, 3.368), and heavy drinking (AOR = 3.236; 95% CI = 2.106, 4.972)], and occurrence of genital discharge [moderate (AOR = 1.669; 95% CI = 1.377, 2.022), low-risk (AOR = 1.884; 95% CI = 1.453, 2.442), and heavy drinking (AOR = 3.895; 95% CI = 2.618, 5.795)]. Linear trend tests confirmed significant dose-response relationships for extra-spousal partnership (Wald F = 84.852, p < 0.001) and genital discharge (Wald F = 74.704, p < 0.001). Alcohol use is prevalent among reproductive-age females in Ghana. Even moderate drinking is associated with risky sexual behaviours and adverse SRH outcomes, with a graded pattern of association across drinking categories for extra-spousal partnerships and genital discharge. The Ministry of Health should implement targeted, sex-sensitive alcohol policies and strengthen SRH education, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women.