European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

YOUTH FRIENDLY SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES UTILIZATION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG SCHOOL YOUTHS IN GOBA TOWN, BALE ZONE, SOUTHEAST ETHIOPIA

Alemayehu Gurure Jarssa, Terefe Markos Lodebo* and Juhar Abrar Suloro

ABSTRACT

Background- Globally the youths are facing different Sexual and Reproductive Health problems like unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, STI including HIV. The specific reasons for the low utilization of YFSRHS are not well known. Thus, this study aimed to assess youth friendly service utilization and associated factors among school youths in Goba town. Methods: A school based cross sectional study design was used with a total sample size of 367 school youths of Goba town from May 10 to 30/2016. The total sample size was proportionally allocated to according to the size of students in each grade. The study subjects were selected by stratified simple random sampling using computer generated random number. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data was entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Descriptive data was presented using text, tables and graphs. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify the associated factors. Results: A total of 358 school youths participated in the study out of total 367 selected giving the response rate of 97.5%. The prevalence of YFSRHS utilization in this study was 133 (37.2 %). YFSRHS utilization was found to be significantly associated with hearing from health workers[AOR (95% CI)= 2.52 (1.03,6.16)], having pocket money [AOR (95% CI) = 2.47(1.02, 5.97)], age at first sexual intercourse [AOR (95% CI) =4.07(1.11, 14.93)], grade level of youths [AOR (95% CI)=0.09(0.02, 0.35)], perceived part of culture [AOR (95% CI) =0.06(0.01, 0.34)]. Conclusion: The prevalence of YFSRHS utilization in this study was low. Hearing about YFSRHS from health workers, having pocket money, age at first sexual intercourse, grade level of the youths and perceived part of culture prohibiting YFSRHS utilization were statistically significantly associated factors with YFSRHS utilization. Therefore; there is a need to provide the necessary information and create awareness, expanding access on existing YFS services for school youths.

Keywords: Youth-friendly, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Service Utilization, Ethiopia.