Abstract:

Background: Reproductive and sexual health account for a sizeable portion of the global burden of sexual ill-health while female adolescents’ utilization of Reproductive Health Services (RHS) remains a global public health concern due to numerous barriers in accessing reproductive health services. Such barriers include but are not limited to stigmatization from healthcare providers, accessibility, availability, and affordability. These services are crucial for their reproductive health and well-being. Studies have reported low utilization of RHS by female adolescents in Lagos State resulting in an increase in teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infection, and abortion, especially in Eti-Osa. Most studies on the utilization of RHS focused on women of reproductive age, not on female adolescents. Hence, this study investigated the determinants of reproductive health services among female adolescents in Sangotedo LCDA, Eti-Osa East LGA, Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional design. Two hundred and fifteen female adolescents from four secondary schools were selected using stratified random sampling. A structured and validated questionnaire with Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient ranging from 0.70 to 0.99 was used for data collection. Respondents’ predisposing factor levels (knowledge, attitude, and perception) were measured on a 30-point rating scale. Enabling factors (accessibility, availability, affordability, and quality of RHS) were measured on a 5-point rating scale with 0-2.5 as low and 3-5 as high. The reinforcing factor was measured on a 9-score rating scale with 0-4.5 as low and 5-9 as high. Utilization of RHS was measured on 3 a 3-point rating scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at a 5% level of significance. Results: A total of 215 female adolescents ages 10-19 years, completed the questionnaire correctly. The mean age was 14 ±1.8 years. Slightly above half (51.2%) were within the ages of 14 and 15 years. The majority (96.3%) of the respondents had low levels of predisposing factors that promote reproductive health service utilization. Most (73.2%) of the respondents had good enabling factors to encourage the utilization of RHS. More than half (65.1%) of the respondents had high reinforcing factors that facilitate the utilization of RHS. Less than half (40.4%) of the respondents utilized RHS. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant relationship between predisposing factors and female adolescents’ utilization of reproductive health services (r =-0.39, p > .0.05). There was a statistically significant relationship between enabling factors and female adolescents’ utilization of reproductive health services (r =-0.25, p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant relationship between reinforcing factors and female adolescents’ utilization of reproductive health services (r =-0.04, p = 0.05). Conclusion: The determinant of reproductive health services utilization among female adolescents is the enabling factor. The utilization of RHS is low among female adolescents. This study therefore recommended that the Ministry of Health should ensure that reproductive health services should be youth-friendly centers to promote utilization among female adolescents.