Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Utilization among Wolaita Sodo University Students, Ethiopia: A Mixed Method Approach

Abstract

Background. Youths have been facing different sexual and reproductive health problems such as HIV infections and unplanned pregnancies. Therefore, this study aimed to assess reproductive health services utilization and their associated factors among Wolaita Sodo University students in Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia. Methods. We conducted an institutionally-based mixed-method study among 759 regular undergraduate university students. Multistage random sampling and purposive sampling techniques have been used to recruit students for the quantitative and qualitative studies, respectively. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. A logistic regression model was used for quantitative data analysis, whereas thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. We used open-code software-assisted qualitative data analysis. The statistical significance was declared at a P value less than 0.05. Results. We found that 378 (49.8%) (95% CI: 46.20–53.34) of respondents had utilized sexual and reproductive health services within the 12 months preceding the current survey. Being a first-year student (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.01–2.46), having ever had sexual intercourse (AOR = 5.12, 95% CI: 3.31, 7.96), participating in peer-to-peer discussion (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.02–2.02), and having ever had sexual transmitted infection syndrome (AOR = 3.91, 95% CI: 1.41–10.85) have increased the odds of using sexual and reproductive health services. Conclusion. Sexual and reproductive health services utilization among university students was inadequate and affected by several factors. Therefore, strengthening peer support networks and addressing the gap in services were highly recommended.

Disparities in Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Utilization and Associated Factors among Agrarian and Pastoralist Adolescents in South Omo Zone, Ethiopia: A Community-Based Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

“…This nding was higher than studies conducted in Gamo Gofa (16.9%) 15 Philippines (13.8%) 16 , Indonesia (24.3%) 17 East Gojam, Ethiopia (21.5%) 18 and Ethiopia 19.18%) 19 . However, lower than the study conducted in Jima Ethiopia, 41.1% 20 ; Eastern Ethiopia, 39.3% 21 ; Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia (49.8%) 22 and Kenya 36%) 23 . This disparity may be explained by time differences, study populations, and settings.…”

Utilization and contributing factors of sexual and reproductive health services in Ethiopia during COVID-19 pandemic፡ A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…This analysis comprised six trials with 3848 individuals across three Ethiopian regions. We discovered that the percentage of people using sexual and reproductive health services varied between Wolega (12) and Wolaita-Sodo (43.8%) (9).…”

“…Wherever possible subgroup analysis was planned by study setting, and overall risk of bias (study quality). To test the small study effect funnel plot and egger's test were applied in the Meta-analysis (9)(10)(11).…”

“…In this meta-analysis, all the six studies were incorporated. From these studies we found that ten factors which has an association with SRH service utilization, such as Participants age ( 15-19 vs 20-24) from three studies(8, 12, 13), sex(8-10), participating in youth club(8, 11), Ever had sexual partner(8-13), had a parental discussion on SRH issues(8-10, 12, 13), Participated in peer-to-peer education (9)(10)(11)13), Knowledge of SRH issues (good vs poor) (10,11,13), Attitude (favorable vs not vibrable)(8, 9, 11), Marital status (married vs un married) (9,11),and Pocket money(8, 9) were signi cant factors affection sexual and reproductive health service utilization in Ethiopia.…”

Factors Associated with Commercial Sex Behavior among Male College Students Who Engaged in Temporary Heterosexual Behavior in Zhejiang Province, China

“…The reproductive health of young students is important; it not only affects the healthy growth of students, the safety and stability of schools, and the well-being of families but also directly affects a country's future development [23]. Owing to the low capacity for safe sex among young people, the incidence of unwanted pregnancies, induced abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, and serious damage to reproductive health among young people has increased significantly [24][25][26]. This not only affects their physical and mental health but also brings great pressure on social security and stability.…”