Association between social media use and adolescents' sexual behaviours: a cross-sectional study among high school students in Drobo, Ghana

Background The advent of social media over the years significantly influences the sexual choices of adolescents. Ensuring the appropriate use of these platforms is key to developing positive attitudes towards sex-related subjects. Yet, evidence of the effect of social media on the sexual behaviours of adolescents is scarce. This study examined the association between social media use and adolescents' sexual behaviours in Ghana. Methods This was an institutional-based cross-sectional study involving 401 adolescents selected from 1 Senior High and 5 Junior High Schools in Drobo, Jaman South Municipality, Ghana. Using a structured questionnaire, data on social media and adolescent sexual behaviours were collected and binary logistic regression was employed to examine the association between social media and sexual risky behaviours of the adolescents. Results Participants were on average 16 years (mean = 15.9; SD = 1.8), and there were slightly more female (52.6%) participants than male participants. Adolescents who used at least one social media platform had significantly higher odds of engaging in risky sexual behaviours compared to those who did not (AOR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.20, 4.46; P = 0.012). Adolescents in Senior High School were more likely to have risky sexual behaviours compared to their counterparts attending Junior High Schools regardless of social media use (AOR: 4.22; 95% CI: 2.43, 7.34; P < 0.001). Similarly, adolescents whose guardians were salary workers had 59% decreased odds of engaging in risky sexual behaviours compared to those whose parents/guardians were farmers irrespective of social media use (AOR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.80; P = 0.009). Conclusion Social media use predicted risky sexual behaviours among adolescents. The need for adolescent empowerment for appropriate social media usage becomes empirical to ensure they benefit. Civil society organizations and other relevant institutions should contribute to organizing seminars and other important events to teach these adolescents how to make the best out of these platforms.