Utilization of Reproductive Health Services and Associated Demographic and Socio-economic Factors among Adolescents (15-19 Years) in Selected Health Facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2021-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Utilization of reproductive health (RH) services is an important component in
preventing reproductive age adolescents from reproductive health problems. Reproductive health
is the pool of methods, techniques and services that contribute to reproductive health and wellbeing by preventing and solving sexual health problems especially for adolescents from 15-19
years old.
Objective: This study was aimed at investigating the utilization of RH services in selected health
facilities and associated demographic and socio-economic factors among adolescents aged 15-19
in Addis Ababa.
Methodology: An institutional based cross-sectional study was used to assess the utilization of
RH services and the associated demographic and socio-economic factors by administering a pretested semi-structured questionnaire from April 1 - May 30, 2021. A snowball sampling technique
was used to select a total of 340 adolescents living in Addis Ababa from 5 purposefully selected
health facilities. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23 software package. Logistic
regression was done to identify possible factors associated with RH service utilization. P value less
than 0.05 was considered as a level of significance.
Results: Out of 306 participants 162 (53%) were males and 144 (47%) were females and 96.3%
of the study participants were single. More than 93% were currently enrolled to school. From the
total 25% of the study participants have had sex in their life. One hundred three (33.8%) of study
participants utilized at least one of the RH services from the five RHs. The adolescents’ discussion
of sexual and reproductive health issues with their sexual partners (AOR= 2.368, 95% CI: 1.168 -
4.802) and with their peers (AOR= 2.360, 95% CI: 1.155 - 4.820) showed positive association
with the utilization of reproductive health services. Adolescents who did not live with both their
parents showed a higher odds (AOR= 2.570, 95% CI= 1.155 - 4.820) in the utilization of
reproductive health services as compared to those who had lived with parents.
Conclusion and recommendations: The overall utilization of RH services among adolescents was
low (33.8%). Discussion with sexual partners and peers were among the predictors for the use of
RH services. Therefore, interventions such as advancing adolescents’ knowledge, strengthening of
youth centers and school reproductive health clubs are important steps to improve adolescent RH
service utilization.
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Keywords
Utilization, Reproductive health, Adolescents, demographic, socio-economic