FACTORS INFLUENCING ACCESSIBILITY AND UTILIZATION OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES AMONG ADOLESCENT IN GA EAST MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT

Background: Addressing the reproductive health needs of adolescents remains one of the greatest public health issues confronting Ghana. Education and advocacy on reproductive health by parents, teachers and healthcare providers have the potential to improve their knowledge, ensure easy accessibility and utilization of services to prevent complication. The study aimed at investigating factors influencing accessibility and utilization of reproductive health services among adolescents in Ga East Municipality. Methods: A cross-sectional study design and a quantitative approach using simple random sampling method to sample 242 respondents. A structured questionnaire were administered to assess knowledge and factors influencing accessibility and utilization of reproductive health services among adolescents. Analysis of quantitative data collected were done with the aid of STATA version 15. Statistical significance was set at p-values ≤ 0.05 with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: A total of 242 students participated in the study with 54% being females. The mean age of the respondents was 15 with 61% being SHS students. The odds of adolescents who agreed that poor attitude of health workers could influence accessibility are 87% less likely to access SRH services. AOR= 0.13 (95% CI: - 0.25-0.76). The odds of utilizing RHS is 5.95 times higher among 14-16 years. AOR=5.95 (95% CI:-1.26-13.10) as compared to 10- 13 age group. Additionally, there is 9.87 times likelihood of utilization among 17-19 as compared to 12-13 years. AOR = 9.87(2.38-15.06). Female adolescents where 1.55 times more likely to utilize SRHS as compared to males AOR = 1.55 (95% CI: -1.28- 2.06). Knowledge on AFHC, advertisement and poster were also significant in service utilization. Conclusion: to increase utilization of reproductive health services, there is a need to educate adolescent on the perceived benefits of the various services available, train more peer v educators, promote school health programme and demystify certain socio-cultural practices affecting service accessibility through effective communication.