Sexual and reproductive health services utilization and associated factors among adolescents attending secondary schools.

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is referring to physical and emotional wellbeing and includes the ability to be free from unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, and all forms of sexual violence and coercion. SRH is the main services packages that prevent and reduce adolescent reproductive health risks and problems. While the government of Ethiopia has undertaken several measures to improve SRH services, there was limited data on utilization among adolescents and associated factors. To assess utilization of SRH services and associated factors among adolescents attending secondary schools in Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent students aged 15-19 years. A total of 692 adolescents were selected using a multi-stage sampling from two randomly selected secondary schools, each from rural and urban settings, in Haramaya district where 642 provided complete data and included in the analysis. A structured, pretested, and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data entry was conducted using Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to STATA version 16 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with school adolescents' utilization of SRH. Statistically significant associations are declared at P-value < 0.05. A total of 642 completed the survey questionnaire, constituting a response rate of 92.7% (642/692). Male adolescents accounted 63.7% and the mean age of respondents was 17.71 years. Among those who completed the survey, 23.5% (95% CI: 20-26.8) utilized SRH services. Adolescents who were exposed to SRH information (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.22-3.6), aware of SRH service providing facility (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.12-3.0) and SRH service components (AOR = 2.76, 95%, CI: 1.53-4.97), and distance from SRH facilities (AOR = 2.28, 95%, CI: 1.13-4.62) were significantly associated with the utilization of SRH services. Nearly one-in-four secondary school adolescents (23.5%) utilized SRH services. Targeted promotion of SRH providing facilities and SRH service components aimed at awareness creation could improve adolescents' utilization of SRH services. Improved SRH services utilization among adolescents who were far from SRH services providing facilities needs further investigation.

Abdurahman C ，Oljira L ，Hailu S ，Mengesha MM ... -  《Reproductive Health》

Disparities in sexual and reproductive health services utilization among urban and rural adolescents in southern Ethiopia, 2020: a comparative cross-sectional study.

Although studies on the uptake of Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) services in Ethiopia have been conducted they have failed to show the disparity in service uptake among rural and urban settings. Once the extent and determinants of ASRH service uptake in urban and rural contexts are known, it will be crucial to provide evidence-based information and recommendations for potential interventions to reduce the burden of disease and disability among adolescents. This study aimed at determining the level of SRH service utilization among urban and rural adolescents in the Guraghe zone, Southern Ethiopia. A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was undertaken from November 1 -30, 2020. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed and a total of 1083 adolescents (361 from the urban and 722 from the rural areas) were selected randomly to take part in the study. Pre-tested, interviewer-administered, structured questionnaires were used to collect the data. The data were encoded and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. χ2 test was computed to see a significant difference in SRH service utilization among urban and rural adolescents. In a bivariable logistic regression analysis, a variable with a p-value less than 0.25 has been selected for a multivariable logistic regression model. Variables with p-values less than 0.05 were declared statistically significant in multivariate logistic regression. A total of 1,075 adolescents (358 from urban and 717 from rural) took part in the study, yielding a response rate of 99.3%. The overall SRH service utilization among the whole adolescents was 39.5% (95%CI: 36.5, 42.4). There was a significant difference in SRH service utilization between urban 56.9% (95%CI: 51.8, 62.1) and rural 30.8% (95%CI: 27.4, 34.2) adolescents (χ2 = 68.3, p < 0.001). Residence[AOR = 2.62; 95%CI:1.63,3.41], availability of youth clubs [AOR = 4.73; 95%CI:3.43,6.53], taking part in peer education [AOR = 2.06; 95%CI:1.48,3.88], having parental discussion [AOR = 3.29; 95%CI:1.73,3.33], and being knowledgeable on SRH issues [AOR = 2.01; 95%CI: 1.45,3.03] were identified as a significant determinants of SRH service uptake. Having parental discussion, geographical accessibility, and knowledge on SRH were significant predictors of SRH service uptake among rural adolescents. Overall, ASRH service utilization in the study area was low, despite urban adolescent service uptake becoming higher than rural adolescents. Since the majority of adolescents were enrolled in schools, schools should be an area of intervention to improve adolescents' knowledge of SRH services through mass media, community networks, and interpersonal/group communication. Furthermore, promoting parent-adolescent discussions, as well as peer-to-peer discussions at the family and school level, should be emphasized. Stakeholders in the education and health sectors need to strengthen their efforts to establish youth clubs in places where they do not yet exist, especially in rural schools.

Habte A ，Dessu S ，Bogale B ，Lemma L ... -  《BMC PUBLIC HEALTH》

Sexual and reproductive health services utilization and associated factors among secondary school students in Nekemte town, Ethiopia.

Binu W ，Marama T ，Gerbaba M ，Sinaga M ... -  《Reproductive Health》

The uptake of key elements of sexual and reproductive health services and its predictors among rural adolescents in Southern Ethiopia, 2020: application of a Poisson regression analysis.

Although 25% of the Ethiopian population is young, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Services have not been adequately researched and intervened, leaving adolescents with many reproductive health challenges. Assessment of the uptake of each element of SRH service and its determinants among those age groups is essential to improving service uptake and reducing the burden of illness and disability in adolescents. Thus, this study aimed at assessing the uptake of key elements of SRH services and its determinants among adolescents residing in rural districts of Guraghe zone, Southern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out from May 1 to 30, 2020, and a multi-stage sampling technique was employed to randomly select 1028 adolescents. The data were collected by using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were coded and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported into SPSS version 23 for analysis. Independent t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were run to determine whether there were statistically significant differences in the mean number of SRH services used across each categorical variable. A multivariable generalized linear regression (GLM) model with a Poisson link was used to determine the effect of each variable on the mean number of SRH services used. Adjusted odds ratios with their corresponding 95% confidence interval were used to declare the statistical significance of the independent variables. The study included 1,009 adolescents, yielding a response rate of 98.1%. The use of the SRH service was assessed using eight elements, and the mean (± SD) score of service uptake was 4.05 (± 1.94), with only 6.8% of adolescents receiving all key elements. Comprehensive sexuality education (55.1%) and voluntary HIV/AIDS counseling and testing (51.0%) were the commonest service items used by adolescents, while the provision of contraceptives was the lowest service item received (25.9%). Educational level (AOR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.03-1.56), having a parental discussion (AOR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.13-1.51), lack of youth clubs (AOR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.66-0.87), and knowledge on SRH issues (AOR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.73-0.85) were identified as significant predictors of the uptake of key elements of SRH services. The overall uptake of SRH services was found to be low in the study area. Schools should be an excellent means of educating adolescents to increase their knowledge of key elements of SRH services. Furthermore, stakeholders must work together to improve the culture of parental discussion with adolescents and establish and strengthen youth clubs, as measures for encouraging the use of SRH services.

Habte A ，Dessu S 《Reproductive Health》

Assessment of access and utilization of adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health services in western Ethiopia.

Tilahun T ，Bekuma TT ，Getachew M ，Seme A ... -  《Reproductive Health》