Availability and Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Adolescents of Godawari Municipality, Nepal: a Cross sectional Study

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundAdolescent sexual and reproductive health is getting due attention in developing countries because investing among adolescent can bring multiple benefits. This study aims to assess the availability, utilization and explore different factors affecting the utilization of SRH services by adolescents of Godawari Municipality.Methodscross-sectional, mixed-method study was conducted using the Anderson’s model of health service utilization in 3 government secondary schools and three local health institutions in Godawari Municipality. A self-administered questionnaire was used among adolescents aged 15- 19 (n = 416) and Key Informants Interview (KII) and observation were done in health institutions. Quantitative data was analyzed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 and thematic analysis was done for qualitative data.ResultsThe mean age of the respondents was 17.31±0.99 years. Nearly one-third of them (30.63%) had not heard about Adolescents Friendly Health Services. Knowledge of ASRH, AFHS (AOR=2.814, 95% C.I=1.129-7.013) and conversation with parents (AOR=2.069, 95% C.I=1.094-3.912), availability of ASRH (AOR=2.801, 95% C.I=0.810-9.687) had significant relationship with utilization of Health Services. The adolescents’ perceived feeling of the need for ASRH services is significantly associated with the utilization of ASRH services (p=< .0001). Only 13.22% of them had ever used ASRH services and the reasons for not using services was the lack of realization of the need of services (60.39%) while 14.55% of them felt that privacy was not maintained at all. The KII found the number of adolescents visiting Health Facility (HF) was very less and those visiting for the SRH related services were rare. The observation showed none of the HF met the adolescents friendly criteria set by government even when they were once certified.ConclusionKnowledge of respondents and their parents as well as availability of the services had significant role in the utilization of ASRH service by the adolescents. Awareness about the importance of health care services among the adolescent and the availability of services is essential.