Youth Friendliness and Utilization of Reproductive Health Services provided by the University of Nairobi

Abstract

Background: The period ages 10-24 (youth) is associated with physical and psychological changes which come with various social and developmental challenges. One of the major challenges that youth face is in the area of sexual and reproductive health. Access to and utilization of sexual reproductive health services by the youth remains a challenge in sub-Saharan Africa despite moves to implement youth friendly services. Objective: The overall objective of the study was to determine the degree of Youth friendliness of sexual and reproductive health services at the University of Nairobi and determine the level of utilization of the same and associated factors among undergraduate students aged 18-24 years at the University of Nairobi. Results would inform interventions to increase uptake of youth friendly health services by the students at the University of Nairobi. Methods: the study employed the use of an observational checklist derived from the WHO standards to determine the youth friendliness of the facilities. A cross sectional survey using self-administered standardized quantitative questioners was used to assess the levels of utilization and the factors associated with the utilization of these services. Results: The services score as high in terms of youth friendliness using the World Health Organization standards. Of the respondents who had ever sought youth friendly health services from any source (n=72), 64 (88.9%) had ever sought services from the university health services. The level of utilization of selected sexual reproductive services offered by the university health services was found to be 22.5%. Sexually active students were less likely to use the on-campus youth friendly services for sexual reproductive health services (p=<0.001).