Uptake of sexual and reproductive health services among adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda

Abstract

The aim of study was to identify the factors that influenced uptake of sexual and reproductive health services during COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda. This study used data from a crosssectional survey which was conducted in December, 2020, under the auspices of Forum for African Women Educationalist Uganda Chapter (FAWEU). The study interviewed 6394 boys and girls aged 10-24 years. A sample size of 5,731 adolescents aged 10-19 years were included for analysis. A logistic regression model was used to examine the factors that influenced uptake of sexual and reproductive health services during COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda. The findings of the study show that the prevalence of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services utilization among the female and male adolescents was 7% and 5% respectively. The findings of the study show that female adolescents were more likely to uptake Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services during COVID-19 lockdown compared to their male counterparts (OR= 1.34; P=0.018), adolescents who lived with either a single parent or guardian had increased odds of SRH uptake compared to those who lived with both parents (OR=1.39; P= 0.014; OR=1.49; P=0.23), adolescents who were in secondary schools before their closure were 3 times more likely to uptake SRH services (OR =3.40; P=0.000), adolescents aged 15-19 were 2 times more likely to uptake SRH services (OR= 2.43; P= 0.000), Born again/Pentecostal and Muslim adolescents had reduced odds of SRH services uptake compared to the Catholics (OR =0.61; P=0.027; OR=0.62; P=0.039), Adolescents from households whose main source of income was non-farm activities were more likely to uptake SRH services compared to those whose source of income was farm activities (OR= 1.36; P=0.011),adolescents who knew about the presence of a friendly health facility in their community were two times more likely to uptake SRH services (OR=2.36; P=0.000), adolescents with no confidence to visit the nearby healthy facility during schools closure were less likely to utilize SRH services compared to their counterparts (OR= 0.68; P=0.020). The study recommends that in case of a future emergency, the government should rollout or redirect the implementation of national programs formulated with the aim of increasing uptake of SRH services among the adolescents. Furthermore, religious leaders should also be vital to encourage their followers to embrace SRH services. To enhance uptake of SRH services in emergencies, the government and its partners should avail adolescents with more affordable or free SRH services.