Abstract
BackgroundAvailability and accessibility of sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents are very crucial for prevention and control of sexual and reproductive health problems. These services also play vital roles in the promotion of adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health generally. The main purpose of the study was to determine the availability and accessibility (geographical and financial) of sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS) among adolescents in Enugu State, Nigeria.MethodsA mixed methods approach was adopted for the study. 192 health facilities were reached to check availability of SRH services. Randomly sampled 1447 adolescents (12–22 years) completed the questionnaire correctly. Twenty-seven interviews and 18 group discussions were conducted. Instruments for data collection consisted of a checklist, a questionnaire, a focus group discussion guide and an in-depth interview guide. All instruments were pre-tested. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. NVivo 11 Pro software was used to code and thematically analyze the qualitative data.ResultsA total of 1447 adolescents (between 12 and 22 years) completed the questionnaire correctly. Among these adolescents, males constituted 42.9% while females were 57.1%. The majority (86.7%) of the adolescents reported availability of safe motherhood services, and 67.5% reported availability of services for prevention and management of STIs and HIV and AIDS. The majority reported that these services were geographically accessible but few were financially accessible to adolescents. However, qualitative data revealed that available services were not specifically provided for adolescents but for general use. Age (p = ≤ .05), education (p = ≤ .05) and income (p = ≤ .05) were found to be significantly associated with access to SRHS.ConclusionSRHS were generally physically available but not financially accessible to adolescents. Adolescents’ clinics were not available and this could affect the access of SRHS by adolescents. Education and income were significantly associated with access to SRHS.
Highlights
Availability and accessibility of sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents are very crucial for prevention and control of sexual and reproductive health problems
These put them at high risk of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems [1]
Their males engage in commercial motor-cycle riding which exposes them to rough or unhealthy lifestyles. Such activities expose them to unsafe sex and early marriage predisposing them to sexual and reproductive health problems like sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and HIV and AIDS, teenage pregnancy, abortion and their consequences. These unhealthy life styles and SRH problems may arise because the young people in this area do not utilize SRH services due to some social and demographic factors
Summary
Availability and accessibility of sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents are very crucial for prevention and control of sexual and reproductive health problems. The sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents are often underserved in many societies [1], yet adolescents constitute large proportion of the population They represent 25% of the world population [2] and are characterized by series of physiological, psychological and social changes that expose them to unhealthy sexual behaviour such as early sex experimentation, unsafe sex and multiple sexual partners [3]. These put them at high risk of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems [1]. Adolescents’ SRH needs and problems are yet to receive adequate attention especially in the developing countries like Nigeria, despite the recognition of youth-friendly reproductive health services as a way of improving their access and utilization of SRH services [6] in order to achieve quality SRH
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
