| Abstract: | Adolescents face a range of health problems, including those related to sexual and
reproductive health (SRH), substance use, mental health, nutrition, violence and accidents.
HIV and maternal mortality are two of the most important health problems for adolescents in
developing countries. A descriptive cross- sectional community based study was employed in
Adama high school, with the main objectives of assessing major reproductive health
problems, service preference and Utilization. Based on probability proportionate to the
population size of each high school clusters and simple random methods was used to identify
the study population. Structured questionnaire and focus group discussions were employed
for data collections. Out of targeted Adolescents’ aged 10-19, all responded to questioners
and three focus group discussions were conducted. This study revealed that Adolescents’ had
practiced premarital first sexual activity at the mean age of 16.86 years. Because of unsafe
sexual practice, Adolescents’ had history of unwanted pregnancy were ended with abortion
and STDs respectively in the last one year prior to this study. Besides, regarding service
preference and utilization, the study found that although the majority of the respondents have
information about RH services making use of it was very low. Additionally the existing health
institutions didn’t provide the RH services according to the preference of the target groups;
those who have got access to it complained that the existing health institution was not
welcoming when needing a service, the reasons they were mentioned health professionals are
judgmental towards adolescent RH needs and prolonged waiting for the service. This study
also revealed that majority of the adolescents had preferred IEC/BCC service, followed by
counseling service, HIV services, contraceptive services, STI services. From this study it was
concluded that Adolescent girls were exercising high risky reproductive behaviors that
exposed them to various RH problems. Finally, based on the findings of the study, some
recommendations were forwarded. |
