Reproductive Health Services Utilization and Associated Factors Among Adolescents in Anchar District, East Ethiopia

Abstract

Objective: To assess reproductive health service utilization and associated factors among adolescents in Anchar District, West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, East Ethiopia. Materials and methods: A community based cross-sectional study using quantitative and qualitative method of data collection was applied from March 1to 30, 2013. Simple random sampling method was used for quantitative and Purposive sampling technique used for qualitative method. Four hundred two adolescents were interviewed for quantitative study. Four focus groups and ten in-depth interviews were conducted for qualitative study. Binary and Multiple logistic regressions were used for association at p < 0.05 using SPSS Version 16.0 software. Qualitative data was transcribed, and result was presented by narration. Results: Forty two (39.3%) female adolescents have ever used family planning. One hundred eight four (45.8%) adolescents have ever used VCT services. Males were 5.25 times more likely to use VCT than females (AOR = 5.25,C.I = 1.07, 25.87) and those perceived themselves as high risk for HIV were 8.22 times more likely to use VCT than their counterparts (AOR = 8.22, C.I = 1.065, 35.49). Lack of adolescent reproductive health services, Harmful Traditional Practices, lack of privacy and inconvenient service hour were reasons for not utilizing the service. Conclusion: More than half of adolescents were not utilizing family planning, and VCT services. Therefore, intensified effort is needed to increase utilization of these services for adolescents.

Keywords

• Adolescents
• VCT
• Reproductive Health
• Population Fund (FP)
• Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
• Utilization