Youth Employees’ Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services at Kombolcha Industry Park

Abstract

The study assesses the youth employees’ utilization of sexual and reproductive health services and associated factors at Kombolcha Industrial Park. An institution-based descriptive cross-sectional design along with a quantitative research approach was employed. A random sampling technique was used to select 415 study respondents. Data were collected from June to November 2021 using questionnaires, observation and document analysis. The behavioral model developed by Andersen served as the guide for a set of questions that were adopted from related previous studies. SPSS version 21 was used to analyze the collected data. According to the finding of the study, current Reproductive Health (RH) service usage among youth employees at Kombolcha Industrial Park was low. Only 37.1% of the youth employees used reproductive health (RH) services as of the time of the study's conclusion. The main cause of this was ignorance of the services in reproductive health being offered. The study, therefore, advised that Youth and RH centers close to the industry park be strengthened with the required resources and trained personnel, and that the youth's understanding of SRH issues should be addressed. Peer educators should be prepared with the knowledge and tools necessary to raise the youth employees' understanding of SRH concerns and how to use them, as well as to assist the development of a supportive peer culture. Obstacles in the service providers should be focused to make the services youth-friendly.