Saudi Journal of Nursing and Health Care (SJNHC)
Volume-1 | Issue-06 | 351-359
Original Research Article
Utilization of Youth Friendly Reproductive Health Services among Secondary School Youths in Fort Portal Municipality, Western Uganda: School Based Cross Sectional Study
Irumba Pauline, Munguiko Clement, Conrad Ondieki Miruka
Published : Dec. 30, 2018
Abstract
Youth often face difficulties in accessing sexual and reproductive health
services. The main aim this study was to determine the utilization of youth friendly
reproductive health services among secondary school going youths of Fort portal
Municipality and ascertain factors that influence use of these services. A cross sectional
descriptive study was conducted on 250 secondary school youths in Fortportal
Municipality. Sample size was determined by using Kish Leslie’s formula. Clustered
sampling method was used to choose two (2) schools from each division of Fort portal
Municipality; then respondents selected by consecutive sampling method. Data was
analyzed using SPSS V.22. About half (53.2%) of the respondents were females and most
of the study respondents (85.6%) were adolescents. Almost a third of the respondents
(39.2%) were sexually active with 67.3 percent of them having unprotected sex. The study
revealed that more than three quarters (79.2%) of the youths were poor users of youth
friendly reproductive health services with sex education as the most utilized service
(88.4%) and the least being use of contraceptives (20.3%). Age and availability of the
services were the main determinants of utilization of these services. Adolescents utilized
Youth friendly reproductive health services more than fellow older youths (P; 0.023 and P;
0.033 respectively). Availability of some Youth friendly reproductive health services in
schools and health facilities influenced their utilization (P; 0.001 and P;0.013
respectively).Youth friendly reproductive health services are under-utilized by secondary
school going youths. Youth friendly healthcare clinics should be operational in all schools
and health facilities.