Reproductive health services utilization and its associated factors among secondary school youths in Woreta town, South Gondar, North West Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

• Published in: BMC research notes 2019-02, Vol.12 (1), p.90-90, Article 90
• Main Authors: Abate, Addisu Taye, Ayisa, Aynalem Adu, W/Mariam, Tesfamichael G/Mariam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abortion; Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Analysis; Birth control; Child health; Cross-sectional studies; Ethiopia; Family planning; Family planning services; Fertility clinics; Health aspects; Health care industry; Health care reform; Health planning; Health services utilization; High schools; HIV; HIV infections; HIV tests; Human immunodeficiency virus; Medical care utilization; Medical personnel; Population; Reproductive health; Reproductive health service; Research Note; Risk factors; School dropouts; Secondary school students; Secondary schools; Social services; Students; Teenagers; Utilization; Womens health; Young adults; Youth
• ISSN: 1756-0500; 1756-0500
• DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4129-z

The aim of this study was to assess reproductive health service utilization and its associated factors among secondary school students in Woreta town, South Gondar, North east Ethiopia 2018. Out of the total 376 selected students, 345 were participated in the study with a response rate of 94%. Of these respondents, 85 (24.6%) of them utilized at least one reproductive health services in the past 1 year. Voluntary testing and counseling for HIV/AIDS and Family planning services were utilized by 47 (55.3%) and 43 (50.6%) of youths respectively. Being grade 11-12 (AOR = 5.299, 95% CI 2.019, 13.912, P = 0.001) and closeness of the service facility to their home (AOR = 2.76, 95% CI 1.168, 6.525, P = 0.021) were significantly associated with students' reproductive health service utilization. This low service utilization might make students prone for different reproductive health risks; which in turn can increase school dropout rate, and has impact on individual's future life as well as the country's youth health policy from meeting its goal. Therefore, it needs a great effort and attention of all the concerned bodies including parents, school staffs, and health professionals to improve the service utilization in schools.