Reproductive health services utilization and its associated factors among adolescents in Debre Berhan town, Central Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundUtilization of reproductive health services is an important component in preventing adolescents from different sexual and reproductive health problems. As a result, the extent of their service utilization should be determined before implementing any kind of interventions. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the level of reproductive health services utilization and its associated factors among adolescents who live in Debre Berhan town.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional method was employed in this study from April 5–May 1, 2016. A multi-stage systematic sampling technique was applied to select a total of 648 adolescents living in 5 randomly selected kebeles of Debre Berhan town. Moreover, a logistic regression was done to identify independent predictors of reproductive health service utilization.ResultsAccordingly, the major findings of this study reveals that about one-third (33.8%) of adolescents utilized at least one of reproductive health services. Adolescents who had discussed sexual and reproductive health issues with their sexual partner and peers were two times more likely to use reproductive health services than their counter parts (AOR = 2.368, 95% CI: 1.168–4.802 and AOR = 2.360, 95% CI: 1.155–4.820 respectively). Adolescents who weren’t co-resided with both their parents were also about two times more likely to utilize reproductive health service than those who were living together (AOR = 2.570, 95% CI = 1.155–4.820). Positive perception of oneself towards acquisition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus urged the adolescents to use RH services twice than those who didn’t perceive themselves as risky (AOR = 2.231, 95%CI: 1.001–4.975).ConclusionSuccinctly speaking, the analysis of the major finding suggests that the utilization of reproductive health services among adolescents in the study area was low. Discussion with sexual partner and peers, risk perception of oneself towards the acquisition of human immune-deficiency virus was among the predictors of reproductive health services usage.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12978-018-0659-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Disparities in utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among high school adolescents from youth friendly service implemented and non-implemented areas of South Ari district, South Omo zone, Southern Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study.

“…This nding is analogues with other studies elsewhere, which reported ever discussion on SRH issues was an independent predictor for SRH service utilization and showed adolescents who ever discussed on SRH issues with family were more likely to utilize SRH services than adolescents who did not discuss the issue with anyone else (1,5,27).Communicating SRH issues with parents is very crucial for adolescents so as to advance their awareness of SRH issues. Discussion of SRH issues with family members (especially if the family members have good knowledge on reproductive health problems and reproductive health services) increases adolescents' feeling of self-trust and there by urges their SRH seeking behavior.…”

“…This could be also explained as with advancement of educational level; mothers are more likely to exchange SRH messages. In contrary, the studies conducted in Debre Berhan town and Woreta town showed no association between maternal education and adolescents' sexual and reproductive health services utilization (5,10). The variation can be emanated from cultural differences and religious beliefs towards SRH services used by adolescents.…”

“…Young people from Sub-Saharan Africa countries are more at risk of SRH problems than those young people from around the world (4). The sub-Saharan Africa region remains the most affected region in the world with an estimated 22.5 million and 1.7 million people living with and having new infections with the human immune-de ciency virus (HIV) respectively (5). Furthermore, premarital sexual activity has the highest rate in sub-Saharan Africa; where more than half of girls aged 15-19 have sexual experience (5).…”

Factors Influencing the Use of Reproductive Health Services among Young Women in Nepal: Analysis of the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey

“…The government of Nepal has termed young women as a vulnerable and underserved group to accomplish the speci c service required to meet their particular problems and needs. Independent studies conducted in Ethiopia [13,14], Bangladesh [15,16] and Nepal [17] have revealed that reproductive health service utilization among adolescent and youth was low and the use of reproductive health services was associated with different socio-demographic and economic factors. In Nepal, there are limited studies regarding the use of reproductive health services among young women.…”

Utilization of sexual and reproductive health services and associated factors among adolescents in youth-friendly service implemented and non-implemented high school of South Ari District, South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia, 2019.

“…Young people from sub-Saharan Africa countries are more at risk of sexual and reproductive health problems than those young people from around the world (10). The region remains the most affected region in the world with an estimate of 22.5 million people living with HIV and approximately 1.7 million new infections occurred in the region.…”