| Abstract: | Sexual risk behaviour among adolescents is a major public health concern in the world. In the realm
of global health research, adolescent sexual and reproductive health has emerged as an area of key
concern, especially in developing nations and regions in the world. Achieving reproductive and
sexual health requires more than preventing unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections,
it includes developing the ability to form and maintain meaningful relationships with others and with
one’s own body. In addition, adolescents are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviours than
either younger children or adults. These significant factors underline the importance of meeting the
reproductive and sexual health needs of this age group.
The study has both general and specific objectives. It generally aimed at assessing the Sexual,
Reproductive Health (SRH) services and related issues at Samara University in North East Ethiopia.
Specifically, the study intended to assess the availability, accessibility and quality components of
SRH at Samara University; to identify the strengths of the available SRH components at Samara
University; and to identify the constraints of the available SRH components at the University.
Non-experimental research design was employed in this study. A combination of both quantitative
and qualitative research methods were also used to generate primary and secondary data from the
respective sources. Regarding the quantitative research method, the researcher used descriptive
sample survey using well-structured interview schedule or questionnaire. Qualitatively, the
researcher organized and held semi-structured interviews, conducted four focus group discussions,
organized FGDs in gender groups, undertook observations of relevant aspects of the University’s
setting and made documentary analyses of relevant documents. The target population at Samara
University for this study was 3641 students in seven faculties and more than ten departments in the
2012/13 Academic Year. In the end, the sample size of the study was 50 students at different levels
of schooling year. Purposive sampling of non-probability sampling method was generally employed
to collect qualitative data from different informants. In so doing, proportionate stratified sampling
method was used to select randomly the sample respondents for descriptive sample survey.
Hence from the study conducted, the sexual and reproductive health services at Samara University
are found to be unavailable in terms of acceptable standards, inaccessible and poor quality services
which have emanated from the existing constraints in the Health Facility.
The study recommends that Staff members, the University’s Health Facility, coordinating bodies like
HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Offices, Gender offices, and the Student Dean’s Office should do
what they are expected to avail quality SRH service in an accessible manner to all students.ity. It is
also recommended that the University should work in partnership with other stakeholders including
NGOs, regional and federal level government actors. |
