Factors Hindering Adolescents from Utilizing Reproductive Health Services in Kampala International University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

In Uganda, only 19% of adolescents utilize adolescents’ reproductive health services yet complications of pregnancy, abortions, and childbirth are the leading cause of disability and death among the same age group. The purpose of this study was to assess factors that were contributing to the low utilization of adolescents’ reproductive health services. A quantitative cross-sectional study employed simple random sampling among 85 adolescents that were attending Kampala international university outpatient clinic. Results found out that majority 46(53.4) of adolescents were aged from 15-16 years, 46(53.4%) were male, 28(32.5%) were Catholics most 81(94.1%) were single. 18(36%) had got the information from their friends, 28(56%) of adolescents said that the information about adolescents' reproductive health services was not freely shared in their communities and 33(66%) said that their communities did not accept adolescents sexual reproductive health services where 7(50%) gave a reason they expected to be young to have sexual intercourse. 43(86%) of adolescents were from within 1-5km, 28(73.8%) mentioned lack of privacy at the facility, and 30(79%) said that health workers segregated adolescents that needed similar reproductive health services. In conclusion, factors that were contributing to the low hindering utilization of adolescents’ reproductive health services were both demographic, socio-economic, and facility related. Keywords: Adolescents, Reproductive, Health Services, Uganda.