Utilization Of Reproductive Health Services Research Articles

Contraceptive utilization and associated factors among youths in Hossana town administrative, Hadiya zone, Southern Ethiopia.

In low-income countries out of, 60.7 million unintended pregnancies, 19% of them are subjected to abortion of which 11% of were unsafe. Surprisingly, about 2.5 million occur in women under the age of 20 years. Aim of this study is to measure the level of contraceptive utilization and associated factors among youths in Hosanna town administration. Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in Hossana town administration, Hadiya zone, Southern Ethiopia. A multistage sampling procedure was employed by clustering health facilities into reproductive health clubs and health facilities to select 781 study participants. Data was collected by using structured pre-tested, self-administered questionnaires. All coded and cleaned data were entered into EPI-info version 3.5.1 and it was exported to SPSS version 16.0 for recoding and further analysis. Among youths who had been sexually active within the last 12 months, 67.6% had used contraceptives prior to the survey. Multivariate analysis was found statistically significant association between contraceptive utilization and education status of mothers who attained university AOR = 4.57 [95% CI (1.29, 16.19)], utilization of sexual and reproductive health services within last 12 months AOR = 2.26 [(95% CI: 1.33, 3.86)], age initiation of first sex between 15-19 year OR = 2.63 [(95% CI 1.48,4.64)], discussion with sexual partner AOR = 1.99 [(95% CI: 1.27, 3.13)], good knowledge on contraceptive advantage AOR = [1.89 (95%CI: 1.07, 3.32)]. Whereas educational status: being secondary level decrease utilization of contraceptives by 51% AOR = 0.49 [95% CI (0.27, 0.94)]. The findings of our study imply that level of contraceptive utilization is higher than as compared to the previous studies. Discussion with a sexual partner as well as with a spouse, having awareness on contraceptive advantages, early age initiation of sexual intercourse, maternal educational status and getting sexual and reproductive health services recently were identified as predictors of contraceptive utilization.

Unlocking the potential for engaging men to improve reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health in Karnali Province, Nepal

BackgroundAdolescent girls and young women (AGYW) often experience early childbearing and have poor utilization of reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health (RMNH) services in Nepal. Involving men in such services has been increasingly recognized globally to improve gender-equitable reproductive health behaviour in husbands. This qualitative study assessed the implementation of Healthy Transitions’ male engagement interventions in Karnali Province, Nepal which were implemented to improve gender-equitable attitudes, and supportive RMNH care-seeking behaviors among the husbands of young women.MethodsWe conducted a summative qualitative study that included in-depth interviews with 12 AGYW as primary beneficiaries and their husbands (N = 12) and in-laws (N = 8). In addition, key informant interviews were conducted with health workers (N = 8), local government representatives (N = 4), members of Health Facility Operation and Management Committee (N = 8) and project implementers (N = 12). Due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions and lockdowns, all interviews were conducted via phone calls and online consultation. Data were analyzed using multistage coding and thematic content analysis.ResultsAGYW, their husbands, in-laws and health workers were receptive to the Healthy transitions’ male engagement initiatives. They perceived that the project contributed a momentum to facilitate men’s gender-responsive behaviour. Many participants reported that male engagement interventions, including home visits, community dialogues, and social events improved husbands’ support for their wives during menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth. The activities also facilitated spousal communication and improved the couple’s decision-making for family planning use. Women reported that improved support from their husbands increased their self-confidence.ConclusionsThis study sheds light on the role of male engagement strategies to improve RMNH in a context where inequitable gender norms and roles are highly prevalent. Our findings highlight the potential to improve RMNH by addressing barriers to male engagement.

Reproductive health knowledge, attitude and health services utilization among adolescent in Kaski District

Introduction: Adolescent reproductive health has become a great concern today due to increasing rate of unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion and sexually transmitted disease. Hence, the objective of the study was to assess the reproductive health knowledge, attitude and health services utilization among adolescents in rural and urban areas of Kaski district.
 Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 419 adolescents (10-19 years of age) in rural and urban areas of Kaski district, Nepal. Multistage stratified random sampling technique was used to select required number of participants.
 Results: Out of 419, majority (78.8%) of the respondents were known about family planning, among them only 70.0% of respondents were aware about family planning methods. Fifty-one percentages of the respondents were aware about the sexually transmitted diseases. Nearly twenty-six percentage of the respondents faced the reproductive health problems within one month. Out of 107 respondents, 57.9% did not utilize reproductive health services.
 Conclusion: The overall level of knowledge towards reproductive health among adolescents was found low. However, levels of attitude towards different reproductive health components were found favorable. Only 42.1% of the respondents utilized reproductive health services among those who faced the reproductive health problems within one month.

Barriers to access and utilisation of sexual and reproductive health services among adolescents in Ethiopia: a sequential mixed-methods study

ObjectiveTo investigate and explore the barriers of access and utilisation of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among adolescents.DesignAn explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was implemented with two phases. The questionnaire...

Understanding Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Adolescents: Evidence from a Formative Study in Three Districts of Lake Regions in Tanzania

Background: Teenage marriage and adolescent pregnancy present a significant health challenge in Tanzania. About 36% of women aged 15-49 are married before the age of 18, and 32% of rural adolescents (10-19 years) gave birth, compared with 19% of urban. In Mwanza region, one-third of currently married adolescents and women aged 15-49 experienced an unmet need for family planning and had low use of modern contraceptives. Here we present a study that explored the gaps in accessing and utilization of quality adolescent sexual and reproductive health services (ASRH). Methods: This was a descriptive and exploratory cross-sectional formative study utilizing multiple qualitative research methods. Purposive sampling was used to select an urban district (Nyamagana), a rural district (Magu) and an island (Ukerewe). Fifty-six In-depth Interview (IDI) and 30 focus group discussions (FGDs) stratified by gender (12 out-of-school, 12 in-school), and (3 male, 3 female adults) were purposefully sampled. An experienced moderator, along with a note-taker, led the discussions while taking notes. The FGDs were recorded using an MP3 voice recorder. A thematic analysis approach was undertaken and data were analysed using NVivo 12, a qualitative software. Results: Adolescent girls needed specific services such as counselling on menstrual health, sexual consent, HIV/ AIDS, and prevention of pregnancies. Sanitary pads during the menstrual period were a very important pressing need of adolescent girls. Adolescents both girls and boys preferred to receive friendly health care services in a respectful manner. Girls mentioned that they would like to receive SRH support from nurses in health facilities, mothers, sisters, aunties and friends. With regards to the boys, they preferred to receive the SRH from health care providers followed by their peer’s friends. Several obstacles were reported to hinder access to SRHS predominantly among adolescent girls as compared to boys. Poor infrastructure tended to impair the privacy at the health facilities, and rarely there were specific buildings to provide friendly adolescent sexual and reproductive health services. Conclusions: The strategies to guide the delivery of ASRH should involve the inclusion of duty bearers, promotion of friendly health care services where health workers provide services in friendly-manner, and provision of ASRH education for awareness creation to adolescents and supportive parents/ caretakers.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to and utilisation of services for sexual and reproductive health: a scoping review

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted health systems globally and widened preexisting disparities. We conducted a scoping review on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and girls’ access...

Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal and Child Health Services

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreaks caused a significant mortality and morbidity at a global level. Maternal and child health (MCH) services are one of the most affected services during the pandemic. Maternal health is an essential component of high-quality maternal care, according to the WHO framework for the quality care for pregnant women and newborns. The aim of this study was to provide a review of COVID-19 impact on MCH services. The Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases were systematically searched. Articles reporting MCH services, COVID-19, and coronavirus were included for assessment. The initial search resulted in 106 records. After the primary screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts and removing duplicates, 11 articles were selected and included in this review study. The findings revealed that the range of projected maternal mortality and child mortality was 1.3%–38.6% and 9.8%–44.7%, respectively. Additionally, the review highlighted that there is a huge impact of COVID-19 on the utilization of reproductive, maternal, and newborn health services. Moreover, the study also reported huge increases in maternal mental health issues, such as clinically relevant anxiety and depression. There is a need to identify the factors and the prompt management of maternal health services during COVID-19. Hence, clinicians should maintain reproductive and maternal care and MCH during any pandemic.

The role of Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILCs) in improving community-level household wealth, financial preparedness for birth, and utilization of reproductive health services in rural Zambia: a secondary analysis

BackgroundSavings and Internal Lending Communities (SILCs) are a type of informal microfinance mechanism widely adapted in Zambia. The benefits of SILCs paired with other interventions have been studied in many countries. However, limited studies have examined SILCs in the context of maternal health. This study examined the association between having access to SILCs and: 1) household wealth, 2) financial preparedness for birth, and 3) utilization of various reproductive health services (RHSs).MethodsSecondary analysis was conducted on baseline and endline household survey data collected as part of a Maternity Waiting Home (MWH) intervention trial in 20 rural communities across seven districts of Zambia. Data from 4711 women who gave birth in the previous year (baseline: 2381 endline: 2330) were analyzed. The data were stratified into three community groups (CGs): CG1) communities with neither MWH nor SILC, CG2) communities with only MWH, and CG3) communities with both MWH and SILC. To capture the community level changes with the exposure to SILCs, different women were randomly selected from each of the communities for baseline and endline data, rather than same women being surveyed two times. Interaction effect of CG and timepoint on the outcome variables – household wealth, saving for birth, antenatal care visits, postnatal care visits, MWH utilization, health facility based delivery, and skilled provider assisted delivery – were examined.ResultsInteraction effect of CGs and timepoint were significantly associated only with MWH utilization, health facility delivery, and skilled provider delivery. Compared to women from CG3, women from CG1 had lower odds of utilizing MWHs and delivering at health facility at endline. Additionally, women from CG1 and women from CG2 had lower odds of delivering with a skilled provider compared to women from CG3.ConclusionAccess to SILCs was associated with increased MWH use and health facility delivery when MWHs were available. Furthermore, access to SILCs was associated with increased skilled provider delivery regardless of the availability of MWH. Future studies should explore the roles of SILCs in improving the continuity of reproductive health services.Trial registrationNCT02620436.

Sexual and reproductive health service utilization and associated factors among high school learners in the Dawuro zone, Southwest Ethiopia.

Adolescents' and youths' death in sub-Saharan Africa was the highest in the world according to the 2019 WHO fact sheet report. About 80% of the global youth in the age range of 15-24 years are living with unmet needs for sexual and reproductive health services. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from the 1st of September 2020 to the 30 of June 2021 in the Dawuro Zone, to assess the prevalence of sexual and reproductive health service utilization and factors associated with employing the binary logistic regression model. The prevalence of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service utilization was 26% in this study. Discussion with family/peers on the SRH service issues, exposure to media, having pocket money, and previous awareness creation on SRH service issues were variables statistically significant with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.81(1.27-2.26),1.47(1.04-2.09),1.54(1.09-2.2), and 2.82(2.01-3.95) respectively at p value< 0.05. The 26% was the low utilization of SRH service.

Sexual and reproductive health service utilization of young girls in rural Ethiopia: What are the roles of health extension workers? Community-based cross-sectional study

ObjectiveLittle is known about the extent to which Health Extension Programme (HEP) has played its role to increase service uptake among young girls. This study aims to estimate the status...

Are women with disabilities less likely to utilize essential maternal and reproductive health services?-A secondary analysis of Pakistan Demographic Health Survey.

BackgroundPeople with disabilities deal with widespread exclusion from healthcare services, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) rights. Studies analyzing the relationship between disability and key SRH utilization outcomes have often reported mixed findings. In Pakistan, very little to no literature is available on this topic, therefore we aim to determine inequalities in the utilization of essential maternal and reproductive health services between women with and without disabilities in Pakistan.MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of Pakistan Demographic Health Survey 2017–18 performed on a weighted sample of 6,711 women aged 15–49 years with a live birth in the 5 years preceding the survey. Six types of disabilities were assessed i.e. vision, hearing, communication, cognition, walking and self-care. Utilization of essential maternal and reproductive health services was assessed through a set of four outcome variables: (i) modern contraceptive use; (ii) skilled antenatal care (ANC); (iii) skilled birth attendance (SBA); and (iv) skilled postnatal care (PNC). Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. Data were analyzed using Stata MP Version 16.0.ResultsA total of 6,711 women were included out of which 14.1% (n = 947) live with at least one form of disability. Mean age was 29.4 (S.E = 0.13) years. The most prevalent form of disability was vision (7.0%), followed by walking (4.8%), cognition (4.8%) and hearing (1.8%). Women with disabilities were comparatively less educated, belonged to older age group, and had higher parity than their non-disabled counterparts. With the exception of modern contraceptive use, which was more prevalent in the group with disabilities, women with disabilities were less likely to utilize skilled ANC, SBA and PNC in bivariate analysis. However, these associations turned insignificant in the adjusted model. Overall, no statistically significant differences were observed in the utilization of essential reproductive health services between women with and without disabilities after adjusting for important covariates.ConclusionOur analyses did not find any statistically significant differences in the utilization of essential maternal and reproductive health services between women with and without disabilities. In-depth research utilizing qualitative or mixed methods is required to understand how well the healthcare system in Pakistan is responsive to the different needs of disabled women.

Determinant Factors of Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Utilization among In-School Adolescents with Disability in Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Introduction Adolescents with disability are often presumed erroneously to be sexually inactive. Though they have the same need for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services as nondisabled people, they are often overlooked by sexual and reproductive health programs, interventions, and studies. Objective To assess determinant factors of sexual and reproductive health service utilization among in-school adolescents with disability in Jimma zone, southwest Ethiopia. Method Institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed among in-school adolescents with disability in Jimma zone, Ethiopia, from September 21 to November 30, 2021. A total of 454 participants were included in the study by using the multistage sampling technique. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Data were entered into Epi-data version 4.2 and analyzed by using SPSS version 23. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses at a 95% confidence interval were performed, and a P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result 454 study participants were included in this study with a respondent rate of 97.4%. Only 38 (8.4%, 95% CI: 5.7-10.8%) of in-school adolescents utilized SRH information and education service. The majority (265, 49%) of adolescents with disability knew family planning as sexual and reproductive health services which were followed by voluntary counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS (116, 21.4%). Seventy-eight (17.2%, 95% CI: 13.7-20.5%) of in-school adolescents with disability visited nearby health facilities for VCT services. Male sex (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.18-4.57), favourable attitude (AOR = 3.11, 95% CI: 1.59-6.07), and history of sexual intercourse (AOR = 5.34, 95% CI: 2.05–13.92) were significantly associated with SRH service utilization. Conclusion The overall sexual and reproductive health service utilization of in-school adolescents with disability was low when compared with other studies. Physical impairment, male sex, ever had sexual intercourse, good knowledge, and favourable attitudes were determinant factors of SRH service utilization among in-school adolescents with disabilities. So, it is recommended that the Jimma zone administration, government, and NGOs should give attention to SRH services.

The Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Among Young Males in Indonesia: Does Their Knowledge of Reproductive Health Matter?

Ensuring the availability of sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents is essential to provide accurate sexual and reproductive health-related information in order to decrease the prevalence of early marriage and premarital sex as well as its outcomes. This study aims to examine the association of reproductive health knowledge and other factors among young males in Indonesia with the use of sexual and reproductive health services. The unit analysis used was 12,612 never-married men aged 15–24. Among respondents, 45% of them had poor knowledge of reproductive health, and 90.4% respondents used the services poorly. Using binomial logistic regression, this study finds that those who had good knowledge of reproductive health, were from a younger age group, had higher education level, were exposed to newspapers, magazines, and the internet, and had a discussion about reproductive health utilized the services better than their counterparts. Providing adolescent-friendly services with both providers and comfortable places in schools, primary health care, and community-based services and also increasing the involvement of teachers, health providers, and religious or community leaders in the services are expected to make the services more accessible for young males and raise their awareness about sexual and reproductive health matters. Abstrak: Memastikan ketersediaan layanan kesehatan seksual dan reproduksi bagi remaja sangat penting untuk menjamin ketersediaan informasi terkait kesehatan seksual dan reproduksi yang akurat, sehingga prevalensi pernikahan dini dan seks pranikah beserta konsekuensinya, dapat diturunkan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara pengetahuan kesehatan reproduksi dan factor-faktor lainnya pada remaja laki-laki di Indonesia dengan pemanfaatan pelayanan kesehatan reproduksi dan seksual. Unit analisis yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah 12.612 remaja pria belum menikah, berumur 15-24 tahun. Analisis deskriptif menunjukkan bahwa 45% responden masih memiliki pengetahuan kesehatan reproduksi yang rendah, dan sebanyak 90.4% responden masih belum memanfaatkan layanan kesehatan seksual dan reproduksi secara baik. Dengan menggunakan regresi logistik binomial, hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa remaja pria yang memiliki pengetahuan kesehatan reproduksi baik, berasal dari kelompok usia yang lebih muda, memiliki tingkat pendidikan yang tinggi, terpapar koran, majalah, dan internet, dan berdiskusi tentang kesehatan reproduksi cenderung memanfaatkan layanan dengan lebih baik. Menyediakan pelayanan kesehatan seksual dan reproduksi yang ramah remaja dengan tenaga kesehatan dan tempat yang nyaman di sekolah, Puskesmas, dan layanan berbasis masyarakat lainnya serta meningkatkan keterlibatan guru, tenaga kesehatan, dan tokoh agama atau tokoh masyarakat dalam pelayanan diharapkan menjadikan pusat pelayanan kesehatan seksual dan reproduksi lebih mudah diakses.

Comprehensive reproductive health care services during COVID19 in Nepal: An ethical analysis through Reproductive Justice Framework

Reproductive health care services are fundamental human rights of every individual, which are also stated by various international instruments. Nepal is also part of these international commitments and has reflected its commitment in the nation’s plan, strategy, and programs. Though significant efforts have been made to fulfill and improve the sexual and reproductive health care services in Nepal, women and marginalized communities are still deprived of the services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the utilization of reproductive health services declined which is aggravating the situation and threatening to reverse the progress made so far. The article reviews the accessibility of comprehensive reproductive health services through the framework of reproductive justice during the COVID-19 in Nepal. Reproductive Justice is not only a framework for liberty for marginalized communities but also ethical guidance for policymakers and service providers.

Sexual and reproductive health services utilization and associated factors among adolescents attending secondary schools

BackgroundSexual and reproductive health (SRH) is referring to physical and emotional wellbeing and includes the ability to be free from unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, and all forms of sexual violence and coercion. SRH is the main services packages that prevent and reduce adolescent reproductive health risks and problems. While the government of Ethiopia has undertaken several measures to improve SRH services, there was limited data on utilization among adolescents and associated factors.ObjectiveTo assess utilization of SRH services and associated factors among adolescents attending secondary schools in Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia.MethodsA school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent students aged 15–19 years. A total of 692 adolescents were selected using a multi-stage sampling from two randomly selected secondary schools, each from rural and urban settings, in Haramaya district where 642 provided complete data and included in the analysis. A structured, pretested, and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data entry was conducted using Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to STATA version 16 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with school adolescents’ utilization of SRH. Statistically significant associations are declared at P-value < 0.05.ResultA total of 642 completed the survey questionnaire, constituting a response rate of 92.7% (642/692). Male adolescents accounted 63.7% and the mean age of respondents was 17.71 years. Among those who completed the survey, 23.5% (95% CI: 20–26.8) utilized SRH services. Adolescents who were exposed to SRH information (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.22–3.6), aware of SRH service providing facility (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.12–3.0) and SRH service components (AOR = 2.76, 95%, CI: 1.53–4.97), and distance from SRH facilities (AOR = 2.28, 95%, CI: 1.13–4.62) were significantly associated with the utilization of SRH services.ConclusionNearly one-in-four secondary school adolescents (23.5%) utilized SRH services. Targeted promotion of SRH providing facilities and SRH service components aimed at awareness creation could improve adolescents’ utilization of SRH services. Improved SRH services utilization among adolescents who were far from SRH services providing facilities needs further investigation.

Utilization Status of Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Among High School Students in Assosa Zone; Western Ethiopia, 2021

Objective: This study was aimed to determine utilization level of sexual and reproductive health service associated factors among high school students in Assosa Zone, Western Ethiopia. Methods: Quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out among selected students from randomly selected section (stratum). Total of 400 samples were proportionally allocated for the stratum and eligible students in were interviewed. Pretested and structured questionnaires were employed before actual data collection. The collected data was interred into Epidata version 3.1 and analysed using SPSS version 25 software. Results: At least 32% of students utilized one of sexual and reproductive health services in the past six months. Counselling services was the major (69.2%) service utilized and Private clinic was the major 73% place of sexual and reproductive health service utilized. Discussion with mother, knowledge, peer education and having pocket money was factors significantly associated with utilization of sexual and reproductive health services. Conclusion: Mean value of sexual and reproductive health service utilization among youth students in the past six months was 32%. Utilization of sexual and reproductive health service was affected by accessibility and service confidential should be interventional areas.

Determinants of repeated induced abortion among reproductive age group women visiting health facilities of Sidama regional state, Ethiopia, 2020: Facility based unmatched case-control study

BackgroundInduced abortion is the intentional termination of pregnancy before the 28th weeks of gestation. Despite the urgency of the situation, little is known about the factors that lead to induced abortion. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify determinants of repeated induced abortion among reproductive age group women at health facilities of Sidama region, Ethiopia. MethodsUnmatched case-control study had been done. A total of 116 cases and 234 controls were included in the study. Cases were women with two or more induced abortions and controls with one induced abortion. Data was entered to Epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS 20 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis with 95% confidence interval was done. ResultA total of 116 cases and 234 controls completed the interview with response rate of 95% and 94.9% for cases and controls. Urban resident (AOR, 95% CI = 4.9 [2.1–11.3]), primary education (AOR, 95% CI = 0.21 [0.06–0.8]), multiple sexual partner (AOR,95% CI = 2 [1.1–3.7]), fertility awareness (AOR,95% CI = 6.8 [2.5–18.2]) ,age at first sex (AOR,95% CI = 4 [1.9–8.7]) and not perceived abortion as painful procedure (AOR, 95% CI = 2.5 [1.2–5.3]) were significant factors of induced abortion. ConclusionResidence, education, number of sexual partner, age at first sex, fertility awareness and perception of abortion pain were determinant factors. Education, health information, family free discussion & reproductive health service utilization should be promoted.

Health systems analysis and evaluation of the barriers to availability, utilisation and readiness of sexual and reproductive health services in COVID-19-affected areas: a WHO mixed-methods study protocol

IntroductionCOVID-19 has led to an unprecedented increase in demand on health systems to care for people infected, necessitating the allocation of significant resources, especially medical resources, towards the response. This,...

Health Literacy and Utilization of Reproductive Health Services Among High School Students

Background: Utilization of reproductive health service may improve adolescent health and prevent reproductive health problems in adulthood. However, the proportion of adolescents who uses the available services remains low. Many factors influenced the services use among adolescents. The relation of adolescents’ health literacy and reproductive health service use was not fully understood. This study intended to examine the relationship between health literacy and use of reproductive health counseling service among high school students in one school in Banyumas Regency, controlling other variables (knowledge, acceptability, age, and sex). Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in March-April 2021 in one high school (SMA Negeri 4 Purwokerto), Banyumas regency, Central Java Province. Samples were 170 students purposively chosen from the first and second grade who were willing to fill the self-administered online questionnaire. Data of health literacy were collected using eHEALS questionnaire. Other data were obtained using valid and reliable self-design questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression was deployed to analyze the relationship between variables. Results: Health literacy had a significant relationship with the use of reproductive health services among adolescents. The probability of the reproductive health counseling service was doubled if they had a good health literacy level among students who had high acceptability toward the service and were female with an OR value of 2.1 (95% CI 1.01-4.49). In conclusion, adolescent’s health literacy level is associated with the utilization of reproductive health services. Further research is needed to confirm the association between the variables in more extensive settings.

Impact of social protection on gender equality in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of reviews.

Impact of social protection on gender equality in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of reviews.