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

Abstract

Objective: 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. Result: 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.