Sexual and reproductive health service utilization among adolescent girls in Kenya

A cross-sectional analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID19592656
AuthorsLonnie Embleton (0000-0002-9415-8903, University of Toronto, corresponding author), Paula Braitstein (0000-0003-0541-2955, Moi University, corresponding author), Erica Di Ruggiero (0000-0002-8935-7908, University of Toronto, corresponding author), Clement Oduor (0000-0003-1716-9294, African Population and Health Research Center, corresponding author), Yohannes Dibaba Wado (0000-0002-7200-6116, African Population and Health Research Center, corresponding author)
EditorsAnil Gumber (0000-0002-8621-6966)
Year2023
Volume3
Issue2
Pagese0001508
Publication date2023-02-22
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0001508
PMID36963079
OpenAlexW4321488304
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited19

We examined the association between adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service utilization in the past 12 months and structural, health facility, community, interpersonal, and individual level factors in Kenya. This cross-sectional analysis used baseline data collected in Homa Bay and Narok counties as part of the In Their Hands intervention evaluation from September to October 2018. In total, 1840 adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years were recruited to complete a baseline survey. We used unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression to model factors associated with SRH utilization across the social-ecological framework levels. Overall, 36% of participants reported visiting a health facility for SRH services in the past 12 months. At the structural level being out-of-school (AOR: 2.12 95% CI: 1.60–2.82) and not needing to get permission to go (AOR: 1.37 95%CI: 1.04–1.82) were associated with SRH service utilization. At the interpersonal level, participants who reported being able to ask adults for help when they needed it were more likely to report using SRH services in the past 12 months (AOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.09–3.78). At the individual level, having knowledge about where to obtain family planning (AOR = 2.48 95% CI: 1.74–3.57) and receiving information on SRH services in the past year (AOR: 1.44 95% CI:1.15–1.80) were associated with SRH service utilization. Our findings demonstrate the need for interventions, policies, and practices to be implemented across structural, health facility, community, interpersonal, and individual levels to comprehensively support adolescent girls to access and use SRH services

Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Population · Reproductive health · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Global Maternal and Child Health · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology