Abstract:
Background: Globally, reproductive health service utilization among adolescent girls is one
of the most important public health issues especially in developing countries like Ethiopia.
Due to poor utilization of reproductive health service, female adolescent girl students are
highly at risk of getting sexual transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion,
and school dropout. However, there is limited information about utilization of reproductive
health service and associated factors among adolescent girl students in Ethiopia including the
study area.
Objective: To assess the status of utilization of reproductive health service and associated
factors among female adolescent students in high schools in Chiro town, West Hararge Zone,
Oromia Region, Eastern Ethiopia from Feb10- March 02, 2018.
Methods: A School-based cross-sectional study design using quantitative method was used
among randomly selected 386 female adolescent students in high schools in Chiro town. Data
was collected by face-to-face interview using a standardized, structured data abstraction
format. Data was entered using EpiData Version 3.1 and then exported to statistical package
for social science version 20.Analysis was done through description, bivariable and
multivariable logistic regression. Possible associations and statically significance between
variables was measured using crude and adjusted odds ratio, P value less than 0.05 was used to
declare statistical significance. Result: The level of utilization of reproductive health services among female adolescent
students was 38.6%. Females having boy friend [(AOR=0.56, 95% CI: (0.33, 0.96)], availability of health facility [(AOR=4.23, 95% CI: (2.64, 6.76)] and knowledge about
reproductive health service [(AOR=2.62, 95% CI: (1.26, 5.46] were significantly associated
with utilization of reproductive health service of female adolescent students. Conclusion: Reproductive health service utilization among female adolescent student was
38.6%. Female adolescents who had relationship with boy friend, availability of health
institution to get reproductive health service and knowledge about reproductive health services
were factors that were found to have association with utilization of reproductive health
service.
Recommendation: In order to strengthen the service utilization, Chiro town health office, family guidance association in Chiro branch and chiro town health extension workers should
collaborate in a way it is possible to increase access and quality of reproductive health service
