Assessment of the Reproductive Health Needs of High School Students in Hossana, Ethiopia.

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Date

2010-06

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

Background Sexual and Reproductive Health problems that the young people are facing are not localized to onegeographic location or one part of the world. Worldwide, 15 million adolescents experience pregnancy each year. Since most of these pregnancies are unwanted, young women tend to have induced abortions, whether legal or not. Moreover, half of new HIV infections are observed in the15-24 age groups. On top of this, studies about STI in adolescents show that the incidence is increasing. Today, each year, one in 20 adolescents suffers from an STI other than HIV (1). Objectives and methods A cross sectional institution based study was conducted to assess the reproductive health needs of high school students in Hossana Town. 422 study subjects were identified by using multi stage sampling method. Data was collected using structured questionnaire, entered and analyzed using EPI info and SPSS statistical program respectively. ResultsAbout 35.8%, of the respondents had experienced penetrative sexual intercourse and 59.5% of the respondents reported that their first sexual intercourse had been unplanned. About 16.9% of the respondents have more than one sexual partner. Among sexually active students, 45.7 % had used condom during their first sexual intercourse as a means of preventing pregnancy and/or STIs including HIV/AIDS. Majority (70.4%) of sexually active female respondents have ever been pregnant out of which 52.9% of them had induced abortion. Conclusion In spite of the students need to get SRH services, the school clinics are not providing theirservices adequately. The health service delivery system should consider the special needs of youth and work out comprehensive and effective policies and strategies to provide young people with the services appropriate to their needs.

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Keywords

Reproductive health, needs, high school students

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