Factors Affecting Utilization of Reproductive Health Services by Adolescent Females Using the Health Belief Model in Maraka District, Dawuro Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: According to the World Health Organization, adolescents were defined as persons between 10 -19 years of age and were characterized by significant physiological, psychological, and social changes; these were put them at high risk for Reproductive health problem. The objective of the study: It was assessed factor affecting utilization of reproductive health services among rural adolescent females using the health belief model in Mareka district, Dawuro Zone, Southern Ethiopia.Methods: A community based cross sectional design with both quantitative &qualitative was conducted in Dawuro zone, southern Ethiopia from February 20^th to April 30^th 2014. Sample size was 844 and calculated using single population proportion formula. Interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Four FGDs were conducted for qualitative study. Frequency table and cross tabulation was done. AOR and OR with 95% CI were considered for statistical significance. Bivariate analysis was used to determine presence of crude association. Multivariate logistic regression model was employed to control confounding. Result: Majority of the respondents had high score of perceived susceptibility for RHP, perceived severity for RHP, and perceived barrier for utilization. The minimum and maximum scores of the model constructs were (9, 45), (6, 30), (9, 45), and (7, 35) respectively. The likelihood of utilizing reproductive health services by adolescent female was  significantly associated with perceived susceptibly of RHP, perceived severity of RHP, and perceived barrier with PV<0.05 and CI of 95%.Conclusion: Almost one third of adolescent females were not utilized RH services which were more stressing despite there were health post in each kebele and four health centers in the wereda to introduce reproductive health problems preventive massage to increase perceived susceptibility and perceived severity on adolescent females. The role of community leaders, parents, religion leader, teachers, media, and IEC materials had significant positive influence on the use of RH services by the adolescent females.Recommendation: Multi-sectoral integration was required to increase reproductive health services utilization by the adolescent female because she was the primer victim for many reproductive health problems due to various reasons but she was vital for gene preservation.

Keywords: Adolescent females, Health Belief Model, Utilization of RHS