Background. The youth in Uganda, as in much of sub-Saharan Africa, face numerous sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges, from human immunodeficiency virus HIV infection, and unsafe abortions to unwanted pregnancies. This study, therefore, assessed the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services and associated factors among the youth in Lira city west, northern Uganda. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in January 2023 among 386 young people (15-24 years) in Lira city west division, Lira city. Multistage cluster sampling technique was used to recruit our study participants. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. All variables were set by p values less than 0.05 and reported adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval. Results. The utilization of SRH services was 42.0% (162/386) among the study participants. Family planning, voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT), and general counseling services were the most utilized SRH services in the past 12 months. Young people who were aware of SRH services (AOR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08-0.74), were aware of a reproductive health facility (AOR, 4.24; 95% CI: 1.62-11.09), discussed SRH issues with peers/friends (AOR, 3.98; 95% CI: 1.53-10.33), had a sexual partner (AOR, 10.00; 95% CI: 4.05-24.69), had sexual intercourse (AOR, 4.59; 95% CI: 2.18-9.69), and had access to SRH services (AOR, 2.68; 95% CI: 1.12-6.40) were more likely to utilize SRH services compared to their counterparts. Conclusion. This study showed a low utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among youth in Lira city west, northern Uganda. Being aware of SRH services, awareness of reproductive health facilities, discussing SRH issues with peers, having sexual intercourse, having a sexual partner, and access to SRH services were independently associated with the utilization of SRH services. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen sustainable multisector approaches aimed at improving awareness and access to sexual and reproductive health services among the youth.

Background Cervical cancer is the most common Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-related disease among women. Since 2008, HPV vaccination has been routinely recommended for pre-adolescent and adolescent girls in Uganda as the primary preventive measure for cervical cancer. However, in Uganda, most especially in Lira district, there is limited literature on HPV vaccination uptake and associated factors among girls aged 9-14years. This study assessed the uptake of HPV vaccine and associated factors among in-school girls aged 9–14 years in Lira City, northern Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 primary school girls aged 9–14 years in Lira City, northern Uganda. Multistage sampling technique was used to sample eligible participants and data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression at 95% level of significance were used to identify the level of HPV vaccine uptake and predictors respectively. Results HPV vaccination uptake was at 19.6% (95% CI,14.8–25.1) among the school girls aged 9–14 years in Lira City, northern Uganda. The mean age of the girls was 12.11 (± 1.651) years. Predictors that were independently associated with HPV vaccine uptake included; recommendation from health worker [aOR 9.09, 95% CI (3.19–25.88), P ≤ 0.001], taught about cervical cancer at school [aOR,12.56, 95% CI (4.60–34.28), P ≤ 0.001], and exposure to outreach clinics [aOR, 4.41, 95% CI (1.37–14.19), P = 0.013]. Conclusion The study found that one in five of the school girls in Lira City, northern Uganda. received HPV vaccine. Girls who were taught about cervical cancer at school, exposure to outreach clinics and received health worker recommendation had more odds of receiving HPV vaccine than their counter parts. The Ministry of Health should strengthen school based cervical cancer education, awareness raising about HPV vaccination and health worker recommendations to improve HPV vaccine uptake among school girls in Uganda.

Background Cervical cancer is the principal burden of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections and a public health priority. Since 2008, HPV vaccination has been routinely recommended for pre-adolescents and adolescent girls in Uganda as the primary preventive measure for cervical cancer. However, in Uganda, most especially Lira district there is limited literature on HPV vaccination uptake and associated factors among girls aged 9-14years. This study assessed the uptake of HPV vaccine and associated factors among in-school girls aged 9–14 years in Lira City northern Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 primary school girls aged 9–14 years in Lira City, west northern Uganda. Multistage sampling technique was used to sample eligible participants and data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Results HPV vaccination uptake was at 19.6% among the school girls aged 9–14 years in Lira City west northern Uganda. The mean age of the girls was 12.11 (± 1.651) years. Individual factors that were found significantly associated with HPV vaccination included; age of 12–14 years [cOR 5.40, 95% CI (2.04–14.24), P = 0.001], Ever had about the vaccine [cOR: 2.05, 95% CI (0.26–3.50), P = 0.021], taught about cervical cancer at school [cOR: 11.54, 95% CI (4.91–33.89), P = 0.021]. Health system related factors that were found to be associated with HPV uptake; Availability of the vaccines at Health Facilities [cOR: 7.88, 95% CI (2.92–10.32), P = 0.002], Received health workers recommendation [cOR: 3.2, 95% CI (0.93–7.82), P = 0.000]. Conclusion Findings indicate that HPV vaccine uptake was very low. The ministry of health should strategize more on increasing awareness on HPV vaccination to young girls and their care takers in Lira City especially through collaborating with different schools though not neglecting the out of school girls.

Background: The youth in Uganda, as in much of sub-Saharan Africa, face numerous sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges, from HIV infection, unsafe abortions to unwanted pregnancy. This study therefore assessed the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services and associated factors among the youth in Lira City West, Northern Uganda. Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted among 403 young people (15–24 years) in Lira City West division, Lira City. Multi stage cluster sampling technique was used. Data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: Out of 422 youth, 386 participated obtaining a response rate of 91.5%. Less than half, (42.0%)of the youth in Lira City West had utilized SRH services. Family planning, VCT and general counseling services were the most utilized SRH services in the past 12 months. Predictors for the utilization of SRH services were, awareness on SRH (AOR (95% C.I): 0.24(0.08,0.74), being aware of a reproductive health facility (AOR (95% C.I): 4.24(1.62,11.09), discussion of SRH issues with peers/friends (AOR (95% C.I): 3.98(1.53,10.33), having a sexual partner (AOR (95% C.I): 10.00(4.05,24.69), having sexual intercourse (AOR (95% C.I): 4.59(2.18,9.69), access to SRH services (AOR (95% C.I): 2.68(1.12,6.40). Conclusion: Utilization of SRH services among the youth was low. Therefore, there is need to develop and strengthen sustainable multisector approaches aimed at increasing awareness as well as linking the young people to youth sexual and reproductive health services.