Addressing the deprived: Need and access of Sexual reproductive health services to street adolescents in Ethiopia: The case of Nekemte Town: Mixed methods study.

Abstract

Objectives Research knowledge gap exists in addressing sexual reproductive health services to street adolescents globally. The intensity of SRH problem is high in the settings like Ethiopia where there is limited access and integration of services in the way it responds to the needs of the street adolescents and this study aimed at exploring risky sexual behaviors; needs and barriers of SRH services utilization among street adolescents in Nekemte town. Community based Cross-sectional study design with mixed approaches was used on sample size of 219 street adolescents. Supplementary qualitative data of 24 in-depth interviews were collected from the street adolescents and SRH service providers. Time-location sampling or venue sampling technique (VDT) was used for quantitative study. Quantitative data was analyzed by SPSS version 24.0.Results About 93% of street adolescents reported difficulty of accessing contraceptives. Behavioral change and sustainable access of SRH services is lacking among street adolescents; but, Knowledge gap is more evident in early adolescents (10-13) period than the other classes. Generally, street adolescents are deprived in terms of access of sexual reproductive health services. Mobile and flexible access of contraceptive should be designed targeting street adolescents.