Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Apr 18:10:49-58.
doi: 10.2147/AHMT.S193219. eCollection 2019.

Determinants of adolescents reproductive health service utilization in Ethiopia: a systematic review of quantitative evidence

Gelila Abraham  1 , Kiddus Yitbarek  1 , Sudhakar Narayan Morankar  2
Affiliations

Determinants of adolescents reproductive health service utilization in Ethiopia: a systematic review of quantitative evidence

Gelila Abraham et al. Adolesc Health Med Ther. .

Abstract

Purpose: Adolescents in Ethiopia face many health problems which emanate from low knowledge and awareness of their reproductive health (RH), though there are additional factors contributing to the problem. Provision of adequate, friendly, and quality RH services to this group of young people is vital to have healthy and productive generation. This systematic review aimed to assemble the top obtainable evidence for the determinants of adolescent RH services utilization in Ethiopia. Methods: Systematic review of literature searches in major databases, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Popline was conducted. English language articles published from 2010 onwards were sought. Socio-demographic and behavioral related outcomes were our interest. Fixed effect model with mantel Haenszel method was used to conduct meta-analysis using Revman5 software. Records were assessed for eligibility by two independent reviewers, with a third reviewer resolving disagreements. Result: Four community-based cross-sectional studies were included in the review. Results of the meta-analysis showed that adolescents whose educational level was primary were 57% less likely to use RH services than adolescents whose educational level was secondary and above. In-school adolescents were 2.39 more likely to utilize Family Planning services than adolescents who were out-of-school. Moreover, adolescents who ever discussed on RH issues with relatives/family/health workers were 3.63 more likely to utilize the services than adolescents who did not discuss with anyone else. Conclusion: We found adolescents' educational level; schooling status and ever discussion on RH issues were associated with RH service utilization in Ethiopia. Health information/education should be given in a regular manner to adolescents in schools and out of school on the availability and need for RH services. Developing the culture of discussion on RH issues within the community may help adolescents to be aware and utilize the available services.

Keywords: Ethiopia; adolescents; factors; reproductive health; utilization.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic presentation of the study selection process.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Adolescents whose educational level was primary were less likely to utilize RH services than adolescents whose educational level was secondary and above. Abbreviation: RH, reproductive health.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Adolescents who were in school were more likely to utilize FP service than adolescents who were out of school. Abbreviation: FP, family planning.
Figure 4
Figure 4
There was no significant difference in VCT service utilization among in-school and out of adolescents. Abbreviation: VCT, voluntary counceling testing.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Adolescents who ever discussed on FP/RH issues with relatives/family/health workers were more likely to utilize FP/RH services than adolescents who did not discuss with anyone else. Abbreviations: FP, family planning; RH, reproductive health.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. World Health Organization. Strengthening the Health Sector Response to Adolescent Health and Development. 2018. Available from: http://www.searo.who.int/entity/child_adolescent/topics/adolescent_healt.... Accessed September 17, 2018.
    1. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Progress for Children: A Report Card on Adolescents. 2012. Available from: http://www.icyrnet.net/index.php?page=news&lang=en&id=234.html. Accessed September 20, 2018. - PubMed
    1. Rosen JE. Adolescent Health and Development (AHD): A Resource Guide for World Bank Operations Staff and Government Counterparts. Washington, DC: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank; 2004.
    1. World Health Organization. Child and Adolescent Health and Development: Progress Report. Geneva, Switzerland: Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development; 2006.
    1. World Health Organization. Introduction to Adolescence & to Adolescent Health: Training Course in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research. Geneva; 2012