How Friendly are the Reproductive Health Services of Model Youth Centers in Addis Ababa
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Date
2007-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background:- Youth sexuality and reproductive health are generally not well addressed. As a
result, problems like unwanted pregnancy, complications of unsafe abortion, and STI
including HIV/AIDS remain very common, particularly, in the developing countries such as
Ethiopia.
Objective and methodology:-A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess the
friendliness of reproductive health services provided by model youth centers in Addis
Ababa. The Assessments had focused on facility inventory, providers’ attitude,
interaction of providers with youth and service characteristics. Observation, key
informants interview, focus group discussions and exit interviews were the methods used
and Data was collected from February to March, 2007.
Result:- Currently, Reproductive Health services like family planning counseling,
contraceptives provisions, pregnancy test, STI diagnosis and treatment, VCT and other related
counseling are being delivered by the youth centers. More female clients were using the
services during the time of data collection than their male counterparts and 44.8% of youth
centers clients were found to be out of the primary target age group (>25 years). The
utilization of the existing services by the age group 10-14 was found to be very law. Majority
of the clients sought VCT services (52.6%) and only around 18 % of the total interviewed
clients came for contraceptives. About 9 and 30% of the respondents were asked to bring
parental and partner permission respectively for service utilization. Approximately 89%,
78.7% and 90% of the respondents agreed in getting completed services, in providers’
confidential handling and short waiting time respectively. Overall 92.7% of the clients were
satisfied with the services they had received.
Discussion and Conclusion: - on the bases of the above findings one can concluded that
addressing early adolescent age group (10-14 yrs) was overlooked by the centers. Sub optimal
services friendliness was observed in placing and using appropriate guidelines and polices
regarding youth friendly service provision. In addition, RH service providers of the centers
had not received any training in respect to delivering friendly services to youth. The need of
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intensifying reproductive health educations and addressing early adolescents (10-14) should
be the priority concern of the centers and peer education is the most effective tool identified
Description
Keywords
Youth sexuality, Reproductive health