Abstract:
Background: Sexual and reproductive health involves the ability to prevent unintended
pregnancies, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted diseases, coercion, and sexual abuse, while ensuring mental and physical well-being. Lack of access to these services can lead
to unwanted pregnancies, school dropouts, and life-threatening conditions like HIV/AIDS, reducing life expectancy. Despite efforts by the Ethiopian government to improve
sexual and reproductive health services, there is limited information on adolescent usage
and related issues in the Jigjiga Somali region. Objective: To assess sexual and reproductive health service use, perceptions, barriers, and factors associated with reproductive health service use among secondary school
adolescent students in Jigjiga town Somali, Ethiopia 1-15 July 2024
Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 566 randomly
selected secondary school adolescents in Jigjiga Town from 1-15 July 2024, using
multistage sampling. Data were collected, entered EpiData version 3.1, and analyzed
using Stata 17. Descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression
analyses were used. The association was reported using adjusted odds ratios with 95%
confidence intervals, and statistical significance was declared at a P-value of less than
0.05. Result: A total of 566 adolescents were included in the study. Out of this, 19.96 % (95%
CI: 16.7–23.5) utilized the sexual and reproductive health services. Discussion with family
(AOR = 2.9; 95% C.I: 1.67-5.08), having sex (AOR = 5.8; 95% C.I: 3=11.4), Urban residence
with family (AOR = 1.95; 95% C.I: 1.01-3.75), information exposure (AOR = 2.13; 95% C.I:
1.1- 4.08) and short distance (AOR = 4.3; 95% C.I: 1.79-10.4) were significantly
associated with sexual and reproductive health service use. The qualitative revealed;
distance, service hours, parental control, lack of privacy and sociocultural conditions to
be barriers for service utilization. Conclusion: less than one in five adolescent sought sexual and reproductive health
services. Factors such as family discussions, sexual activity, urban residence, exposure to
information, and distance significantly influenced service utilization. Qualitative
findings highlighted barriers like distance, inconvenient service hours, parental control, lack of privacy, and sociocultural norms as key challenges to accessing these services. A
multifaceted intervention is recommended.
