Major reproductive health problems, service preference and utilization among high school adolescent girl students in Adama town, Oromiya region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Adolescents face a range of health problems, including those related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH), substance use, mental health, nutrition, violence and accidents. HIV and maternal mortality are two of the most important health problems for adolescents in developing countries. A descriptive cross- sectional community based study was employed in Adama high school, with the main objectives of assessing major reproductive health problems, service preference and Utilization. Based on probability proportionate to the population size of each high school clusters and simple random methods was used to identify the study population. Structured questionnaire and focus group discussions were employed for data collections. Out of targeted Adolescents’ aged 10-19, all responded to questioners and three focus group discussions were conducted. This study revealed that Adolescents’ had practiced premarital first sexual activity at the mean age of 16.86 years. Because of unsafe sexual practice, Adolescents’ had history of unwanted pregnancy were ended with abortion and STDs respectively in the last one year prior to this study. Besides, regarding service preference and utilization, the study found that although the majority of the respondents have information about RH services making use of it was very low. Additionally the existing health institutions didn’t provide the RH services according to the preference of the target groups; those who have got access to it complained that the existing health institution was not welcoming when needing a service, the reasons they were mentioned health professionals are judgmental towards adolescent RH needs and prolonged waiting for the service. This study also revealed that majority of the adolescents had preferred IEC/BCC service, followed by counseling service, HIV services, contraceptive services, STI services. From this study it was concluded that Adolescent girls were exercising high risky reproductive behaviors that exposed them to various RH problems. Finally, based on the findings of the study, some recommendations were forwarded.