Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Utilization and Associated Factors Among University Students, Northwest Ethiopia: Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Students in higher institutions of learning are exposed to diverse sexual and reproductive health problems, such as unintended pregnancies, Human Immuno Virus/Aquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome, sexually transmitted infections, and unsafe abortions. Despite diverse efforts to improve student use of sexual and reproductive health services, there is still limited evidence on the level of university student use of the available sexual and reproductive health services at university set-ups. Therefore, this study aimed to assess sexual and reproductive health service utilization and associated factors among undergraduate university students in northwest Ethiopia.Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on undergraduate students at the University of Gondar in 2014.Data were collected using a pretested, structured, and self-administered questionnaire on 874 students selected by the multistage sampling technique. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software, while Bivariable and Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. Results:The prevalence of sexual and reproductive health service utilization was 62.3%, at a 95%CI (54.1%, 68.7%). Students who discussed SRH issues with families [AOR=4.5 (CI: 2.42, 10.27)], lived in rural areas [AOR=1.60, 95% (CI: 1.22, 2.16)], had better knowledge of SRH services [AOR=1.38 (95% CI: 1.94, 2.03)], and had high risk perception for HIV infection [(AOR=1.80, 95% CI (1.58, 1.10)] were significantly associated with sexual and reproductive health service utilization. Conclusion:Sexual and reproductive health service utilization in the study area was found to be moderate. Factors like prior discussions of sexual and reproductive health issues, lived in rural areas, knowledge of sexual and reproductive health, level of risk perception for HIV/ AIDS were found to be associated with sexual and reproductive health services utilization. Therefore, interventions focused on such factors are recommended.

Level and Predictors of Knowledge of Reproductive Rights Among Haramaya University Students, Eastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Globally, studies show higher socioeconomic status is related to the better chance of having sexual and reproductive information (2,3,9,17,18) through accessing different media and visiting health facilities and seeking related healthcare services, which directly or indirectly invest on sexual and reproductive health issues (2,3,8,9,(17)(18)(19)(20). On the other hand, previous studies conducted in Ethiopia were more focused on the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services (18,20,21) which could be difficult to increase unless we boosted youth sexual and reproductive health literacy (1)(2)(3)9).…”

Sexual and Reproductive Health Behaviors among Ethiopian University Students: A Scoping Review

“…Pregnancy test/care was another reported behaviour in two studies with prevalence of 5% (32)and 16.8% (34). Five studies out of fteen described risky sexual behaviour (23,24,33,36,38). Among them, two studies (23,33) did not quantify the prevalence while three studies quanti ed the prevalence as 30.2%(38) ,31%(36) and 44% (24).…”

“…Concerning behaviours, experiences, outcomes in the reviewed studies, surprisingly, all studies reported sexual activity and the prevalence was ranged from 18.9-79.5% (20,23,24,(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39).Among this, 2 studies had reported both the past (61.1% and 28.4%) and current (73.5% and 53.1%) status of sexual activity among participants (20,29) while the rest of studies (23,24,28,(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39) reported only the status of sexual activity at the time of the study.…”

“…Ten studies had reported the prevalence of multiple sexual partners which is one the most important risky sexual behaviors (20,23,24,28,29,31,33,(37)(38)(39) and ranged from 26-64% and one study reported the mean number of multiple sexual partners as (1.36 (± SD 0.505) (32). Moreover, the prevalence premarital sexual practice was reported in four studies ranging from 25.5% (34) to 45% (23) and early sexual initiation i.e.…”

“…Five studies out of fteen described risky sexual behaviour (23,24,33,36,38). Among them, two studies (23,33) did not quantify the prevalence while three studies quanti ed the prevalence as 30.2%(38) ,31%(36) and 44% (24). One study has described the non-sexual risk behaviors such as smoking, drinking and khat chewing which have a propounding effect on risky sexual behavior (37).…”