Factors influencing utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among young people (10-24) in Iganga municipality

Abstract

Globally, young people are one quarter of the world’s population with an estimate of 1.8 million and 86 percent are living in less developed countries. This has a huge implication on the existing health systems which are already constrained with limited finances, health workers, equipment, and commodities to guarantee utilization of quality SRHR services for young people. This study was done to investigate the individual, social cultural and health system factors influencing utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among young people (10-24) in Iganga Municipality. A cross sectional research study with a sample size of 387 young people (10-24) was conducted in Iganga Municipality, Iganga District. Iganga Municipality had two divisions with a total of twenty wards. The wards were grouped into four clusters with each representing five wards. Then, simple random sampling was used to select the cluster from which the study population was identified. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select households followed by purposive sampling techniques to select the eligible respondents. The researcher used research administered and self-administered questionnaires to collect both qualitative and quantitative data about utilization for sexual and reproductive health services in Iganga Municipality. SPSS version 16 was used for analysis using the prevalence ratio to test for the significance of the association between the independent and dependent variable. Results: The results revealed that the biggest percentage of young people (90.7%) acknowledged to have sought for sexual and reproductive health services and only (9.3%) acknowledged to having never sought for any SRH service, the last time they needed it. There was also an association between age, religion, marital status, being in a relationship, being in a sexual relationship, negotiating with a partner, community taboos in relation to SRH needs, discussion with a partner about use of SRH service and utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among young people in Iganga Municipality. The study concludes that individual and social cultural factors play a vital role in influencing utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among young people in Iganga Municipality. There is a need to develop and expand access to gender responsive, inclusive and integrated youth friendly reproductive health services within the existing private and public health facilities. Continuous capacity building and engagement of all community gatekeepers such as religious leaders, local leaders, aunties/uncles, parents, guardians, VHTs, Peer educators among others to be in a better position to provide age appropriate SRH information and refer those that need a given service.